Accident Details
On April 28, 2008, at 1430 central daylight time, an experimental Tromsness Enterprises, Incorporated Turbine Legend, registration N747CT, was destroyed by post-impact fire when it struck a concrete barrier in the center median of Interstate 44 in Miami, Oklahoma. The aircraft, a single-engine turbo prop, was operated by the certified private pilot who was the sole occupant and was fatally injured. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which departed Miami Municipal Airport (MIO) between 1400 and 1415. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Witness Accounts
Several witnesses observed the airplane prior to impact. One witness reported it was approximately 500 feet above the ground, heading southeast, and descending in an approximately 80-degree nose-down attitude before hitting the median barrier and exploding into flames. A second witness, traveling westbound on Interstate 44, stated: "I saw the airplane moving in an unstable manner when it went totally out of control heading in a [southwest] direction. It started losing altitude fast, rolled over three times then hit the road left wing first, nose slightly upward. The plane burst into flames upon impact as it hit the center road barrier." A third witness, also traveling west, noted a "small single-engine airplane" that seemed "too low" and watched as it "suddenly dipped right then dipped left and did a complete roll. It managed to get upright just when it hit the interstate...."
Aircraft Examination
An on-scene examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the airplane, composed mostly of composite material, was largely destroyed by fire. Remaining identifiable parts included the propeller, engine, a flap, a section of the vertical stabilizer, the elevator, landing gear, and both wing spars. The three-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine, with one blade separated from the hub; blades were curled aft, with leading-edge damage and deep gouging from impact with the concrete barrier. The cockpit area, including the instrument panel, avionics, and radios, was destroyed by fire. External examination of the engine showed no pre-mishap anomalies.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and glider. His last FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on November 27, 2007, at which time he reported a total of 3,012 flight hours.
Toxicological Findings
Toxicological testing, conducted by the FAA Accident Research Laboratory, detected multiple substances in the pilot's blood and urine, including tramadol, hydrocodone (urine only), dihydrocodeine (urine only), gabapentin (urine only), bupropion, bupropion metabolite, trazodone, and acetaminophen. Review of the pilot's personal medical records indicated a history of anxiety, depression, muscle pain, severe headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and memory loss since at least 1999. He had been using multiple medications, including tramadol, gabapentin, trazodone, flurazepam, hydrocodone, and bupropion, with prescriptions documented in the months before the accident. However, on his two most recent FAA medical applications (October 2005 and November 2007), he denied any history of frequent or severe headaches, mental disorders, hospital admissions, or other illnesses, and indicated only over-the-counter Excedrin (2007) or occasional tramadol (2005).
Weather
Weather reported at Grove Municipal Airport (KGMJ) approximately 20 miles south of the accident site at 1432 was: wind from 330 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 15 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, barometric pressure 30.12 inches of Mercury, temperature 63°F, dewpoint 41°F.