History of Flight
On September 19, 2008, approximately 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N4380Q, operated by York Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when it struck the runway during an uncontrolled descent shortly after departing from York Municipal Airport (JYR), York, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight instructor and student pilot on board sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated around 1545.
According to the airport manager, the flight instructor and student pilot were planning touch-and-go landings. He watched them taxi out to the runway at about 1545, then returned to the hangar. At approximately 1620, he emerged and saw wreckage in the distance; he drove to the site and called 9-1-1.
A witness driving on a gravel road west of the airport observed a single-engine airplane on the runway facing south. It proceeded down the runway and lifted off. As it climbed to about 100 feet, it suddenly nosed down. The witness's view was blocked by crops; seeing no dust or smoke, he thought it might have been intentional and continued into town. Upon returning, he saw emergency equipment and later came forward.
Personnel Information
The 54-year-old flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate (dated August 13, 2008) with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings, a flight instructor certificate (October 18, 2006) with a single-engine land rating, and a ground instructor certificate (April 28, 2004) with advanced and instrument ratings. His second-class medical certificate (November 1, 2007) required corrective lenses and glasses for near/intermediate vision, valid through November 30, 2008.
His logbook (January 3 to September 18, 2008) showed a biennial flight review on August 3, 2008, in his Beech A36. Total flight time: 2,945 hours; last 90 days: 62 hours; flight instructor time: 636 hours (52 in last 90 days); Cessna 172 time: 652 hours (41 in last 90 days).
The 68-year-old student pilot held a combination student pilot certificate/third-class medical certificate dated September 18, 2008, requiring lenses for distant/near vision. His logbook (June 16 to September 18, 2008) showed all flying in the accident airplane with the accident instructor. He had made four flights (June 16, 25, 27; July 13) totaling 3.4 hours before returning to San Diego. After returning to York, he made two flights (September 15, 18) totaling 1.6 hours. Total time: 5.0 hours.
Aircraft Information
N4380Q (serial number 17260280), a 1971 Cessna 172L, was powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine (serial number L-39954-27E) rated at 150 horsepower, driving a Sensenich two-blade, all-metal, fixed-pitch propeller (model 74DM7S14-0-60, serial number A 58981). The last annual inspection was performed on September 8, 2008. Airframe total time: 3,730.1 hours. The engine was overhauled by Lycoming on June 18, 2008, and installed on July 10, 2008, at tachometer time 3,897.4. At overhaul, engine time-in-service was 6,518.3 hours. At annual inspection, engine time since major overhaul was 32.7 hours. The propeller was installed new on July 11, 2003.
Meteorological Information
York Municipal Airport observations at 1530: wind 180° at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 27°C; dew point 11°C; altimeter 30.14 inHg. At 1630: wind 180° at 14 knots, gusts to 18 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 27°C; dew point 10°C; altimeter 30.12 inHg.
Aerodrome Information
York Municipal Airport (JYR) is located 1 mile north of York, elevation 1,670 feet msl. Runways: 17-35 (5,900 x 100 feet, concrete) and 05-23 (4,700 x 150 feet, turf). Runway 17 was active, with a 798-foot displaced threshold.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane struck the runway left of centerline, 2,841 feet from the displaced threshold of runway 17, in a left-wing-low, nose-low attitude. It skidded 183 feet off the left side of the runway into grass, coming to rest upright. One frangible runway light was knocked off. Several gouges and a propeller-strike mark were present.
Flaps were up; fuel selector on both tanks. Flight control continuity was established. Stall warning horn tested satisfactory. Front seats separated from distorted rails. Fire personnel reported both occupants wore seat belts and shoulder harnesses. The gascolator contained only a few drops due to a broken bowl. Left wing tank showed hydraulic bulging; right fuel tank was breached with fuel blighting in grass.
One propeller blade was twisted; the other was bent aft near the tip. Engine continuity and thumb compression were established.
The Hobbs meter read 3037.1 at the site; when signed out, it was 3036.9 (difference 0.3). The tachometer read 3,945.2.
Medical and Pathological Information
Rescue personnel pronounced the student pilot dead at the scene. The instructor was transported to the hospital and expired. Autopsies attributed both deaths to massive blunt trauma. Toxicology by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute detected azacyclonol and triamterene in the instructor's blood and urine.
The instructor had a long history of diabetes treated with oral medications (metformin, rosiglitazone, glimepiride). Six weeks before the accident, he started injectable exenatide (10 micrograms twice daily). No blood sugar measurements were documented in FAA records since starting exenatide. The pilot reported no adverse effects. Other flight students told an FAA inspector the instructor's behavior was normal the day before and the day of the accident.
The pilot's height was 70 inches; weight 285 pounds 10 days before the accident. FAA records also indicated high blood pressure treated with three medications. Ten days before the accident, blood pressure was 152/72. No history of heart disease; a treadmill stress test 12 years prior was normal. The autopsy reported an enlarged heart (500 grams) but not thickened. The pilot's attorney indicated the pilot did not snore and had no family history of heart disease, congestive heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.