History of Flight
On April 23, 2008, at 0709 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Carlton Cadwell Lancair IV-P airplane, registration N25CL, experienced a loss of control during takeoff and subsequently impacted into an orange grove near Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona. Boehle Aviation LLC was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, the private pilot/owner, and one passenger were killed; the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The cross-country personal flight departed Mesa with a planned destination of Santa Ana, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed.
Air traffic controllers observed the airplane during takeoff. They reported that after the airplane became airborne, about the time the gear was being retracted, smoke was observed trailing from the airplane. The controller advised the pilot of the smoke but did not receive a response.
Witnesses observed the airplane make an abrupt climbing left turn, then the wings rocked back and forth, followed by the airplane descending straight down into an orange grove. The airplane exploded on impact, and witnesses observed a large fireball.
Personnel Information
The 27-year-old commercial pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane, as well as a certified flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He held a second-class medical certificate issued on November 19, 2007, with no limitations or waivers. According to FAA medical records, he reported a total time of 600 hours, with 200 hours in the last 6 months. He had been employed by the pilot-rated passenger/owner since July 2007 as a company pilot. Insurance records from February 25, 2008, reported 580 hours pilot-in-command time. He completed initial training in the accident airplane during March 3–5, 2008, logging 9.4 flight hours and receiving a High Altitude Endorsement. Airplane logbooks showed he had flown the airplane a total of 20.5 hours between March 3, 2008, and the last recorded maintenance on April 18, 2008.
The 27-year-old pilot-rated passenger/owner held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and multiengine land. He held a third-class medical certificate issued on November 30, 2005, with no limitations or waivers. According to FAA medical records, he reported a total time of 60 hours, with 30 hours in the last 6 months.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an experimental amateur-built airplane, serial number LIV-424-SFB-P. Logbooks indicated a total airframe time of 978.2 hours at the last 100-hour annual inspection on March 3, 2008. The last logbook entry was on April 18, 2008, following tests of the static/altimeter system, at which time the tachometer read 998.7 hours. The engine was a Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-550-E, serial number 803125, with total time recorded at the last 100-hour inspection of 978.2 hours. Examination of maintenance records revealed no unresolved discrepancies prior to departure.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Investigators examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The fuselage was oriented nearly perpendicular to a row of trees, facing north. A single large tree trunk was located in the midsection of the wreckage. There was an odor of aviation fuel. All flight control surfaces were accounted for, but due to post-crash fire and thermal consumption of the composite airframe, control continuity could not be established. The airplane and engine were recovered for further examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The commercial pilot's remains were removed from the right front seat; the rated passenger's remains from the left front seat. Autopsies and toxicological testing were performed. The commercial pilot's specimens showed no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, or other tested drugs except Ibuprofen detected in blood. The rated passenger's specimens showed no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, or volatiles, but tested positive for Benzoylecgonine in blood and urine, ecgonine methyl ester in blood and urine, and mefloquine in blood and urine.
Tests and Research
Investigators examined the wreckage at Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona, on April 24, 2008. No abnormalities were noted on the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operations. Investigators were unable to determine the cause or origin of the reported smoke during departure.