History of Flight
The flight departed Austin Bergstrom International Airport around 1700 on a VFR flight plan to Williams Airport (9X1) in Porter, Texas. At 1740, the airplane was observed approaching runway 17. Witnesses reported that the aircraft flew over the runway at low altitude but did not land. It then initiated a climbing right turn, nosed over, and collided with trees. One witness noted that engine power did not sound like flight idle during the float. Another witness saw fluid leaking from the right engine and stated that the engines did not seem to produce full power during the go-around. The airport manager had earlier spoken to a pilot inquiring about trees near the airport and recommended runway 35 if winds allowed.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument. He held a second-class medical issued July 21, 2008. Logbook records from May 2008 to January 2009 showed 2,364.5 total flight hours, including 367 hours in multi-engine aircraft. He received a checkout in the accident airplane on January 3 and 6, 2009, accumulating 4.2 hours in type.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, a Beech 95-55A registered as N9648Y, was equipped with two Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470L engines. The left engine had 504.7 hours since major overhaul, and the right engine had 446.7 hours. The last annual inspection was completed April 1, 2008, at 5,988 airframe hours; total time at the accident was 6,049.7 hours.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), 13 miles north, at 1753 included clear skies, wind from 150 degrees at 10 mph, temperature 67°F, dewpoint 37°F, and barometric pressure 30.07 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane came to rest in a swampy area west of the runway after striking approximately 60-foot-tall trees. Impact marks on trees indicated a heading of 290 degrees. The wreckage came to rest about 80 feet forward at a heading of 040 degrees and an elevation of 122 feet msl. No post-impact fire occurred. All major components were present. Flaps were extended 30 degrees, and the landing gear was in transit.
Engine Examination
The right engine was test-run successfully, producing full power without anomalies. The left engine was disassembled and showed no pre-impact mechanical issues.
Medical Information
An autopsy determined the pilot's cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Toxicological tests were negative.