Flight Details
The flight departed Daytona Beach International Airport en route to Wilmington International Airport, where the passengers were to deplane. Before taking off from Daytona Beach, the pilot performed a visual inspection of the airplane, checked the fuel tanks, and verified that they were full. Two passengers stated that the flight from Daytona Beach to Wilmington lasted approximately two and a half hours.
Upon arriving in Wilmington, the pilot did not shut down the engine. He deplaned the passengers and continued the flight to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The pilot established radio contact with the FAA Raleigh Approach Control and was provided flight following service for the flight.
Incident Sequence
When the flight arrived within range of the destination airport, the pilot was given radar vectors to the final approach course for runway 23L. A review of radar data showed that when the airplane was 1.37 miles from the runway, it was about 800 feet mean sea level. At the same time, the pilot reported to the controller that he had a problem. Seconds later, the pilot reported that he had lost his engine. This was the last radio transmission from the pilot.
Wreckage and Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed two broken power lines located along the wreckage path. The main wreckage was located inverted in a creek 4,800 feet on an extended centerline on the approach side for runway 23L. Postcrash examination and testing of the aircraft structure, flight controls, systems, engine, and propeller showed no evidence of precrash anomalies. The fuel lines were found severed at the wing roots.