History of Flight
On January 12, 2008, about 1538 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172L, registration N7100Q, operated by a private individual, experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed into Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-certificated pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight from Venice Municipal Airport to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Earlier that day, the airplane had departed PIE and flown to VNC. On the return leg, at 1532:43, the pilot contacted PIE tower and advised he was 8 miles southwest inbound. The controller assigned a transponder code and radar identified the flight. The pilot was instructed to fly heading 050 and expect a left downwind for runway 22. At 1535:26, the controller cleared the pilot to resume navigation, enter left downwind for runway 22, and provided wind information. At 1536:57, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 22 and instructed to hold short of runway 17L; wind was reported as 220 degrees at 11 knots.
Radar data showed the airplane flew a heading consistent with a downwind leg for runway 22 but turned left before the approach end and headed toward runway 27. At 1538:04, the controller asked if the flight was lined up for runway 22; the pilot replied with an apology. No further transmissions were received.
A witness on the ramp at PIE reported seeing the airplane in a nose-low attitude, then bank approximately 90 degrees to the right, then roll left to a 45-degree bank, then wings level. The airplane pitched up 10-15 degrees, stalled, and descended nose-low. The controller in contact reported seeing a sharp right turn toward runway 22, then a stall and descent into the bay. Other controllers also observed a stall and nose dive.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 31, held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land rating issued August 9, 2004, and a third-class medical certificate issued September 12, 2005. His logbook, ending October 6, 2007, showed 171.7 total hours, 107.4 as pilot-in-command. He had logged 55 flights in the accident airplane totaling 80.4 hours. No flights were recorded between his last logbook entry and the accident. His last flight review was August 14, 2006.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1972 Cessna 172L, serial number 17260400, powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 hp engine with a fixed-pitch propeller. Its last annual inspection was April 25, 2007, at 3,800 hours total time. A 50-hour inspection was completed on January 4, 2008, at 4,020 hours total time and 220 hours since engine overhaul. Co-owners who flew the airplane two days before the accident reported no discrepancies.
Meteorological Information
A METAR at PIE at 1535 reported wind from 210 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 2,600 feet, temperature 26°C, dewpoint 20°C, and altimeter 29.91 inHg.
Communications
The pilot was in contact with PIE tower; no communication difficulties were reported.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane crashed in Old Tampa Bay. It was moved toward shore during rescue. When examined by the NTSB, the wreckage was in about 6 feet of water, approximately 822 feet from the approach end of runway 22. All flight control continuity was confirmed. The flaps were extended about 15 degrees; elevator trim was about 10 degrees tab trailing edge up (airplane nose down). The throttle was about 1 inch from full open, mixture full rich, carburetor heat in, primer in and locked, ignition switch in both. The airspeed indicator read 60 knots. The engine was run on a test stand and operated normally; magnetos also tested normal.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postmortem examinations listed the cause of death for all three occupants as drowning, with contributory blunt trauma. Toxicology for the pilot was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs; ibuprofen was detected in urine. Toxicology for the passengers was also negative.
Weight and Balance
Weight and balance calculations using reported occupant weights (pilot 269 lbs, right front passenger 218 lbs, rear seat passenger 304 lbs) and estimated fuel consumption indicated the airplane weight was approximately 2,324 pounds with a center of gravity at 42.92 inches aft of datum. The normal category gross weight is 2,300 pounds with CG limits from 38.5 to 47.3 inches. The calculations did not include items such as headsets or a pilot bag.