History of Flight
On February 27, 2008, at 2207 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20C, registration N591BB, crashed during takeoff from Riverside Municipal Airport (RAL) in Riverside, California. The co-owner/pilot was operating the airplane under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers were killed; the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The local personal flight was departing with a planned destination of Corona Municipal Airport (AJO) in Corona, California. Visual night meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The flight had earlier landed at RAL about 2000 after departing from Corona. The pilot and passengers intended to eat at the airport restaurant, but it was closed. The pilot contacted his fiancée, who drove them to dinner. After dinner, they returned to the airport, boarded the airplane, and prepared for the return flight to Corona. The fiancée left before takeoff and did not witness the accident.
A ground witness reported that once airborne, the airplane was "porpoising" up and down as it flew toward him. As it neared the end of the runway, it made a steep climbing left turn, then rolled inverted and descended nose-down. The airplane impacted a palm tree and a parked vehicle on a residential street south of the airport. The witness observed an explosion and fireball.
Personnel Information
The 35-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate issued October 14, 2007, with no limitations or waivers. His partially damaged logbook indicated an estimated total flight time of about 230 hours, with about 20 hours in the accident make and model. He completed a biennial flight review in February 2007.
Aircraft Information
The Mooney M20C, serial number 2385, had a Lycoming O-360-A1D engine (serial number L-5431-36). The airplane's logbooks showed an annual inspection dated February 8, 2008, reporting total airframe time of 3,811 hours. The inspection was completed on February 26, 2008, when the post-maintenance flight was accomplished. Total engine time at the annual inspection was 3,844 hours, with 293 hours since major overhaul. The airplane was last fueled to maximum capacity about four days prior to the accident, and the accident pilot had flown it 1.5 hours since then. No unresolved maintenance discrepancies were noted before departure.
Meteorological Information
The 2153 METAR for RAL reported winds calm, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 12°C, dew point 5°C, and altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.
Communications
The pilot was not in communication with air traffic control as the tower was closed. A Riverside police helicopter pilot reported hearing the pilot of a Mooney announce on the tower frequency (121.0) that he was taking off from runway 16 (southbound). Minutes later, they were dispatched to the accident site south of the airport.
Airport Information
The Airport/Facility Directory indicated runway 16 at RAL was 2,850 feet long and 50 feet wide, with an asphalt surface. The main runway, 27/9, was closed per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) due to inoperative runway lights; the NOTAM was issued on February 27, 2008, and canceled on February 28, 2008.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest inverted at the base of a palm tree on the north side curb line of a residential street, oriented on a 090-degree magnetic heading. The airplane was mostly consumed by post-impact fire, with the right wing resting on top of an automobile. Impact damage to the palm tree and street was consistent with witness statements of a near-vertical flight path. All primary structure and flight controls were accounted for; control continuity was established. The engine showed no evidence of catastrophic mechanical failure. The fuel selector was on the left tank; flaps and gear appeared retracted; tail trim was set for takeoff. The airplane was recovered for further examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Riverside County Coroner performed an autopsy. Toxicological testing of the pilot's specimens by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory found no carbon monoxide, volatiles, or tested drugs. Cyanide was detected at 1.56 µg/mL in blood.
Tests and Research
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The accident pilot, a new owner in the airplane partnership, had recently completed insurance-required make and model training. The accident flight was the first flight after the annual inspection and the pilot's first flight since completing the training. In a written statement, the co-owner related that the pilot had discussed weight and balance and that, with full fuel and passengers, the airplane remained within limits. No records were found indicating the pilot had previously used runway 16 at RAL.