History of Flight
On February 1, 2009, about 1030 mountain standard time, a single-engine Mooney M20C, registration N7774M, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Elbert, Colorado. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Alpha Aviation, Inc. and operated by the pilot. A flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The local flight originated from Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado. There were no reported witnesses to the accident; however, a local resident noticed the wreckage and alerted authorities.
A review of the airplane's radar track shows the airplane conducted several back-and-forth maneuvers, working away from APA in a southeasterly direction. Prior to disappearing from radar at 1027, the airplane appeared to be conducting a gentle right-hand turn; the last radar hit had the airplane at 7,900 feet mean sea level (about 1,300 feet above ground level) with a groundspeed of approximately 50 knots.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land with instrument airplane. His third class Federal Aviation Administration medical was issued August 4, 2008. The pilot's log book was located, and the pilot had recorded about 412 total flight hours. The pilot's preceding flight was the day prior, January 31, 2009, where he logged 1 hour with 3 takeoffs and landings. Prior to that flight, the previous flight was on October 2, 2008; he had logged approximately 31 hours of flight time for 2008.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1974 model Mooney M20C, a single-engine, low-wing, all-metal airplane configured for four occupants with retractable tricycle landing gear. The last annual inspection was performed July 5, 2008, at a tach time of 6,855 hours. The time accrued since the last annual inspection was approximately 87 hours. The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A1A reciprocating engine rated at 180 horsepower. The engine had accumulated about 595 hours since its last major overhaul, which was conducted in May 2006.
Meteorological Information
At 1055, the automated weather observing system at Colorado Springs, Colorado, reported winds from 350 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots, varying from 330 to 170 degrees, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 41 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 7 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.11 inches of mercury.
Communications
The pilot was not in communication with air traffic control at the time of the accident and no distress calls were received.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest in a ravine with low vegetation, between two pastures, on a measured heading of 182 degrees, at an altitude of about 6,550 feet. All major components were accounted for. The left and right wings were partially attached to the fuselage, forming a slight forward V arrangement. The entire leading edge of the left wing was crushed aft; about 4 feet of the inboard section and about a 2-foot section near the tip of the right wing was crushed aft. The forward cabin and engine areas were largely destroyed by impact. The aft fuselage, just in front of the empennage, was crushed. The tail surfaces were attached and exhibited only minor damage. The main wreckage, with the engine still attached, was over a small crater. Additional impact marks or ground scars were not found. The impact marks were consistent with a left wing low and nose down attitude. Both wing tanks and fuel lines were breached by impact. The flaps were in the retracted position, and the main landing gear appeared partly extended from the wheel wells. Control continuity to the flight controls was established up to the front cabin area.
The wreckage was removed to a secure facility. The engine was removed from the airframe for inspection. The top spark plugs were removed; the electrodes were gray in color and appeared normal. The engine would not rotate during an attempt to turn the propeller by hand. The engine was partially disassembled by removing the number two and four cylinders; lubrication was found throughout with no evidence of heat distress. The internal crankshaft and camshaft appeared intact. The engine displayed accident impact forces with the crankshaft propeller flange largely separated/broken. The left and right magnetos were rotated by hand (ignition leads cut) and produced spark at all cap posts. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. One blade was curled approximately 180 degrees back starting about three-quarters span. The other blade was bent slightly back towards the cambered side, starting near the root.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy was performed on February 2, 2009, by the El Paso County Coroner, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The report lists the manner of death as "accident; ... as a result of multiple injuries." Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.