History of Flight
On March 25, 2009, about 2159 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, registration N4871N, crashed into a wooded area 3 miles west of Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky. The private pilot was killed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was owned and operated by 4871N Incorporated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport (BWG), Bowling Green, Kentucky, at 2117.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The controller reported difficulty communicating due to poor radio reception. At 2126, the pilot reported a low voltage indication and that the battery was draining. The controller asked about the engine; the pilot said it was fine but the battery was draining and he might lose radio communication. He mentioned having an externally powered GPS and backup transmitter. At 2147, the controller identified the airplane 37 nautical miles southwest of LEX at 2,900 feet, but noted fluctuating altitude and heading. The pilot declined to declare an emergency but requested assistance. At 2159, ARTCC lost radar and radio contact.
A witness heard the airplane fly overhead, make two circles in about 30 seconds, with the engine sounding normal, then heard the impact. The witness located the wreckage behind his home.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 57, held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land and instrument airplane, issued December 14, 1993. He held a third-class medical certificate issued February 12, 2008, with corrective lens waivers. His logbook showed 1,693.1 total flight hours, including 380 hours of actual instrument time.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1980 four-seat, high-wing Cessna 182Q with fixed tricycle landing gear and a Continental O-470-U (17) 230-horsepower engine. An annual inspection was conducted August 9, 2008 at tachometer time 1,819.3 hours and total time 3,768.1 hours; current Hobbs time was 3,900.1 hours.
Meteorological Information
The reported weather at LEX, about 3 miles west of the accident site, at 2154: wind 190 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 8 miles with rain, ceiling 500 feet broken, overcast at 1,400 feet, temperature 14°C, dew point 12°C, altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft impacted on a 260-degree magnetic heading. The initial impact scar was about 1 foot deep and 8 feet long. Debris path measured approximately 54 yards. The airframe was substantially damaged and fragmented. All flight control surfaces were present, with cable separation consistent with tension overload. Fuel smell was evident; both wings showed hydraulic bulging. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was found in the airframe or flight controls.
The attitude indicator gyro showed evidence of rotation, as did the turn-and-bank gyro and direction gyro. Only face plates of airspeed and vertical speed indicators were found. Batteries and flashlights were in the cabin.
The engine had heavy external impact damage. Top spark plugs exhibited normal wear. The vacuum pump coupling was intact but housing damaged. The propeller separated; both blades had leading edge gouges and S-bending.
Medical and Pathological Information
The postmortem examination by the Office of the Associate Chief Medical Examiner of Kentucky on March 27, 2009 listed cause of death as blunt force trauma. Forensic toxicology detected ethanol in muscle (105 mg/dL) and liver (40 mg/dL). Bupropion and its metabolite were found in liver and kidney. Butalbital was detected in liver (1.367 ug/mL) and kidney (0.646 ug/mL). The pilot had reported two DUI convictions to the FAA in the 10 years prior, with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.15% and 0.147% respectively. The FAA issued special issuance medical certificates in 2007 and 2008 for a history of substance abuse. His most recent medical application did not note any medications or medical conditions.