History of Flight
On May 5, 2008, at 1734 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee (N4352Y) operated by a commercial pilot was substantially damaged when it struck trees and terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near New Lisbon, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, who was applying dry fertilizer, had departed a private airstrip near New Lisbon around 1730. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
A witness reported observing the airplane making several low-altitude passes over an agricultural field. After the final pass, the witness lost sight of the airplane shortly after it climbed over a tree line at the southeast corner of the field. A decrease in engine noise was heard, followed by two loud crashing sounds.
Another witness, driving south on Wisconsin State Highway 80, saw the airplane emerge from over a tree line. The airplane was low and "turned perpendicular to the ground" in a steep left turn to the west. It then descended into the trees and was lost from sight.
Personnel Information
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the 55-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and was not instrument rated. His most recent aviation medical examination, on March 10, 2008, resulted in a second-class medical certificate with the limitation that he wear corrective lenses. At that time, he reported 10,384 hours of flight experience, with 150 hours in the previous six months. FAA records showed no accidents, incidents, enforcement, or disciplinary actions. The pilot's most recent logbook entry, a flight review dated April 3, 2008, indicated a total of 10,323.4 flight hours, of which 10,146.4 were as pilot-in-command, all in single-engine land airplanes.
Aircraft Information
The 1968 Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee (serial number 25-4852) was a steel-tube-truss design with fabric covering, externally braced wings, wing flaps, and fixed conventional landing gear. It seated a single occupant and had a maximum takeoff weight of 2,900 lbs. The aircraft received a restricted airworthiness certificate on January 3, 1969, and was owned by Kaz's Flying Service, Ltd. Total airframe time at the accident was 9,652.6 hours. The last annual inspection was on May 17, 2007, at 9,246.7 hours. On May 3, 2008, a horizontal stabilizer support kit was installed.
A Lycoming O-540-B2C5 engine (serial number L-14937-40) provided 235 horsepower via a McCauley 1A200 fixed-pitch, two-blade metal propeller. The engine had 1,398.1 hours since its last major overhaul. The most recent engine maintenance, on July 10, 2007, was spark plug replacement. A review of records found no unresolved airworthiness issues.
Meteorological Information
The nearest weather station, Volk Field Airport (KVOK) in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, about 6 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported at 1655: wind 330 degrees true at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast ceiling at 10,000 feet, temperature 20°C, dew point 1°C, and altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site lay in a wooded area east of the sprayed field. The debris path, from initial tree strike to main wreckage, was about 200 feet long on a 350-degree magnetic bearing. The tree line was approximately 70 feet high, with several freshly broken limbs along the path. The left wing separated and was found 15 feet above ground among trees. The main wreckage, including the fuselage, empennage, right wing, engine, and propeller, came to rest inverted near an access road. No fire evidence was found. All flight control surfaces were accounted for, and control cable separations were consistent with tensile overload.
The engine remained partially attached to the airframe. Crankshaft continuity was confirmed to all cylinders, rear gear assemblies, and valve train. All six cylinders exhibited compression. Both magnetos functioned normally, with the impulse-coupled magneto providing spark when rotated. The propeller blades showed blade twist, spanwise bending, chordwise scratching, and leading edge damage. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no pre-impact abnormalities.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on May 7, 2008, at Hess Memorial Hospital in Mauston, Wisconsin, attributed the cause of death to multiple injuries due to the accident. Toxicology tests by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute detected no carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs.