Mini-Max 1600R SPORT UNREG

Summary

On 13 December 2021 at about 21:40 local time, a Mini-Max 1600R SPORT registered UNREG, operated by Joseph Michael Krol, was involved in an accident near South Bend, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 December 2021 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

South Bend, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Chain-O-Lakes (3IN7)

Coordinates

41.6646, -86.3552

Aircraft

Mini-Max 1600R SPORT

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Joseph Michael Krol

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Bend → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CEN22LA074

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s low-level flight and poor visual lookout which resulted in collision with a light pole on final approach and the pilot’s improper decision to operate an airplane under the influence of alcohol.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A pilot witness reported that he and the uncertificated accident pilot met at the local airport to fly; they each flew their respective airplanes for about 30 minutes. The pilot witness reported that as the accident airplane headed back to the airport to land, the airplane’s altitude was too low, and it collided with a light pole. According to the local law enforcement and responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the airplane came to rest in a residential area and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Examination of the airplane and did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane did not have an airworthiness certificate or registration markings. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the pilot did not have an FAA pilot’s license or medical certificate. Law enforcement reported that the pilot smelled of alcohol and a preliminary breath test revealed a 0.114 blood alcohol content (BAC). FAA regulations state a pilot cannot operate a civil aircraft with a BAC of 0.04 or more.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.