History of Flight
On July 3, 2008, at 1931 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration N9888K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees during the initial climb from Newport State Airport (UUU), Middletown, Rhode Island. The certificated flight instructor and a passenger were killed. The third occupant, a student pilot, was seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries on September 15, 2008. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the airplane owner and fueling records, the airplane was "topped-off" with 25.1 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel and departed on runway 22, a 2,999-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. Several witnesses living near the airport reported hearing the engine noise cease, immediately followed by the sound of an impact. One witness approached the wreckage from the right side and extricated the student pilot before the airplane was consumed by fire.
Another witness, a professional pilot with 12,670 hours of experience, stated he was approaching UUU in a Socata TBM 700 and observed a PA-28 aircraft in the traffic pattern. He noted the PA-28 was "quite high" on final approach, landed about mid-field, and performed a touch-and-go. Approximately 10 minutes later, after landing and dropping off a passenger, he saw the accident airplane land about 2,000 feet beyond the approach end of runway 22. He was "shocked" that the pilot attempted a touch-and-go, describing a "slow laborious climb" with the nose too high, wings occasionally rocking, and a slow left turn that never rose above the tree line before impacting.
Radar data from the FAA showed targets with a 1200 transponder code consistent with a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 22. The last target was recorded at 1931:04 near the threshold of runway 22, indicating an altitude of 100 feet above mean sea level.
Personnel Information
The flight instructor, age 63, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane, as well as a flight instructor certificate with single-engine and instrument ratings. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on January 14, 2008, at which time he reported 2,650 total flight hours. He was seated in the left front seat.
The student pilot, age 38, obtained his most recent third-class medical certificate on December 4, 2007, reporting 12 total flight hours. He had completed his first solo flight in June 2008 and was seated in the right front seat; his wife was in a rear passenger seat.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number 28-7816207, was manufactured in 1977. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320, 160-horsepower engine and equipped with a Sensenich propeller. A 100-hour inspection was completed on June 23, 2008, at a total airframe time of 4,405.1 hours; the engine had accumulated 1,081.8 hours since major overhaul.
Meteorological Information
Reported weather at UUU at 1953 was: wind variable at 4 knots; visibility 5 miles in haze; broken ceiling at 8,000 feet, overcast ceiling at 9,000 feet; temperature 22°C; dew point 18°C; altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest in trees on a residential property about 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of runway 22. An approximate 30-foot debris path, consisting of damaged trees, was oriented along a magnetic course of approximately 180 degrees. The wreckage was also oriented on a heading of about 180 degrees. The aft portion remained upright, while the engine was inverted. The cockpit and cabin area were consumed by fire; all major portions were accounted for.
Examination revealed the right wing separated near the wing root and about mid-span, with crush damage on the leading edge. The left wing's inboard section was consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed for the stabilator, rudder, and ailerons. The stabilator trim jackscrew indicated a neutral position. The throttle and mixture cables were in the aft position, the carburetor heat control in the midrange, and the flap handle at 10 degrees. The vertical speed indicator displayed an approximate 500-foot-per-minute descent; the attitude indicator was tumbled.
The propeller remained attached and exhibited little damage. The engine was fire-damaged but crankshaft, camshaft, valve train continuity was confirmed, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. No metallic contamination was found in the oil filter. The carburetor floats and needle were intact. The mechanical fuel pump was destroyed.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the flight instructor listed the cause of death as "thermal injuries and smoke inhalation." Toxicological testing detected hydroxychloroquine in blood and urine, and ibuprofen in urine. The instructor had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and treated with ibuprofen, prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. He had been referred for visual field testing before starting hydroxychloroquine, but the testing had not been accomplished. His most recent medical application denied any medication use or visits to health professionals.