History of Flight
On January 28, 2009, at about 1705 Pacific standard time, an experimental Siai-Marchetti SF-260C, registration N688C, crashed during takeoff from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in Santa Monica, California. The pilot was operating the borrowed airplane under 14 CFR Part 91 for a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Witnesses observed the airplane climb normally to an altitude between 200 and 400 feet, after which the engine sound suddenly stopped. The airplane appeared to slow down, made a right turn, and entered a descending spin before impacting the ground between Runway 21-3 and Taxiway A.
Personnel Information
The 45-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and helicopter, and a third-class medical certificate issued on March 2, 2007, with no limitations or waivers. His most recent medical application reported 1,400 total flight hours. In May 2008, the insurance company added him to the approved pilot list for the accident airplane, at which time he reported 1,600 total hours and 5 hours in make and model. The airplane owner estimated the pilot had accumulated about 20 hours in the make and model.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Siai-Marchetti SF-260C, serial number 466 (37-004). Total airframe time at the last condition inspection (July 1, 2008) was 3,654.6 hours. It was powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 engine, serial number L-19695-40, rated at 260 horsepower. Total engine time at the last 100-hour inspection was 2,845.2 hours; time since major overhaul was 1,512.9 hours.
Fueling records from SMO indicated the airplane was last fueled on January 20, 2009, with 11.7 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel, topping off the main wing tanks. The pilot who refueled the airplane reported that after refueling, he taxied back to the hangar with the right tip fuel tank selected, which he stated was standard operating procedure. He also noted the tip tanks had a very small amount of fuel, the exact quantity undetermined. No unresolved maintenance discrepancies were found.
Communications
The airplane was cleared for departure by Santa Monica tower air traffic controllers. No distress transmissions were recorded from the pilot.
Airport Information
Santa Monica Municipal Airport runway 21 is 4,973 feet long and 150 feet wide, with an asphalt surface.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was on the northwest side of runway 21/3 on turnoff A-1 between Taxiway A and Runway 21/3. The first identified point of contact was a ground scar with an impression of the right wing, scrape marks, and paint transfer. The debris field was within a 50-foot radius of the main wreckage, which was oriented on a 300-degree heading. Both wings and the fuselage sustained extensive thermal and impact damage; the tail section suffered less damage.
Investigators initially observed the fuel tank selector valve handle appeared to be selected to the right tip tank, but the assembly was physically frozen due to crushing of the surrounding structure. The assembly was later cut from the wreckage for further examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Los Angeles County Coroner completed an autopsy on January 31, 2009; the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries. Toxicological testing by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute found no carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, or tested drugs.
Tests and Research
Examination of the airframe and engine at Aircraft Recovery Service in Littlerock, California, on March 10, 2009, revealed no mechanical anomalies. Further examination of the fuel valve selector assembly at Stealth Aviation in Santa Monica, California, on April 14, 2009, determined that the valve was actually positioned out of its detent, between the Right Tip Tank and Both Tip Tanks selection, due to impact forces displacing the selector. The assembly was disassembled and found operational and undamaged. The fuel tank selector valve has five positions: Left Tip Tank, Left Main Tank, Right Main Tank, Right Tip Tank, and Both Tip Tanks.
Additional Information
The approved airplane flight manual for the Siai-Marchetti F260 limits the use of "Tip Tank" and "Both Tips" to level flight only. The Normal Operating Procedures state that before starting the engine, the fuel selector valve should be positioned on the left wing tank. A placard on the instrument panel read: "USE WING TIP TANKS IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY."