Mxr Technologies MX2 N262MX

Summary

On 9 March 2009 at about 16:19 local time, a Mxr Technologies MX2 registered N262MX, operated by Paul Lee Lopez, was involved in an accident near Dade City, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 March 2009 at 16:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Dade City, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.3225, -82.1383

Aircraft

Mxr Technologies MX2

Registration

N262MX

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Paul Lee Lopez

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Zephyrhills → Zephyrhills

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA188

2 people died.

An in-flight loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers in an experimental airplane over an orange grove with a passenger. He was scheduled to perform at an airshow the following weekend, and he reported on his latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate application that his occupation was "Airshow Pilot." Witnesses observed the airplane performing low-altitude maneuvers followed by a stall and loss of control. The airplane was observed in a high angle of descent prior to impact with the ground. FAA inspectors examined the wreckage and reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a nearly flat attitude and no linear ground scar was observed. All flight control surfaces were found with the main wreckage. Two of the three composite propeller blades did not show evidence of rotational damage and the third blade was buried under the wreckage. Examination of the engine at a salvage facility revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure. Toxicological evaluation noted the presence of atenolol, a medication used for blood pressure control that reduces heart rate response to stress and that may reduce G-tolerance. U.S. Navy guidance restricts aviation personnel on medications such as atenolol from pulling more than 2.5 Gs, though the FAA routinely permits the use of the medication by civilian pilots, without restrictions, for the treatment of high blood pressure. The investigation could not determine if use of the medication was related to the accident. The pilot reported in his most recent medical certificate application that he was not taking any medications.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.