Accident Overview
On May 22, 2009, at about 2330 mountain standard time, an experimental Lanham Lancair IV, registration N144L, collided with desert terrain near Seligman, Arizona. The airplane was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. Both the private pilot and a certified flight instructor were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the night flight, which departed Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO) in Oregon at 1930, with a planned destination of Scottsdale Airport (SDL) in Arizona. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed.
Pilots
The 39-year-old private pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane, as well as a mechanic certificate. He held a second-class medical certificate issued on June 23, 2008, with no limitations. His last flight review was on March 24, 2008. According to his medical application, he had a total time of 1,200 hours, with 100 hours logged in the previous six months.
The 25-year-old certified flight instructor (CFI) held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea and instrument airplane, a certified flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine land, a mechanic certificate with an airframe rating, and an advanced ground instructor certificate. He held a first-class medical certificate issued on July 14, 2005, with no limitations. According to his medical application, he had a total time of 450.2 hours, with 184 hours logged in the previous six months.
Aircraft
The aircraft, serial number 138, was a 1997 experimental amateur-built Lanham Lancair IV. Its special airworthiness certificate was issued on July 27, 1998. A condition inspection was performed on August 20, 2008, at an airframe total time of 654.3 hours. A pre-buy inspection was completed in October 2008, but no total hours were listed. The airplane was powered by a Continental Motors TSIO-550-B (2) engine, serial number 802037, with a total time of 654.3 hours at the last inspection. It was equipped with a Hartzell propeller, model PHC-H3YF-1RF/f7490.
Weather
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) meteorologist prepared a factual report. Radar summary charts showed rain showers across Arizona near the accident site. Satellite imagery identified cumuliform clouds over the site with tops near 31,500 feet. The nearest weather observation station, Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC) in Prescott, Arizona, reported at 2353: wind from 240 at 4 knots, visibility 7 miles, light rain, ceilings broken at 5,500 feet and overcast at 7,000 feet. Rain began at 2257. Pilot reports indicated rain showers and light rime to mixed icing between 15,000 and 19,000 feet. AIRMET Sierra and Zulu reported mountain obscuration and moderate icing between 12,000 and 25,000 feet. The area forecast for Salt Lake City indicated an upper-level low and mid-to-high level moisture. The Current Icing Potential chart depicted a probability of encountering icing below 21,000 feet, exceeding 80% at 16,000 feet.
Communications and Radar
The accident pilot filed an IFR flight plan from HIO to SDL. Communications were normal and no emergency was declared. At 2303, the pilot checked in with Los Angeles Center (ZLA) sector R8, reporting level at FL210. At 2315, he was instructed to contact Albuquerque Center (ABQ). About 15 minutes later, ABQ sector 43 reported the airplane had dropped off radar after issuing a discretion descent to 16,000 feet. The airplane disappeared from radar at 2327. Several attempts to contact the pilot were unsuccessful.
Radar data showed the airplane near St. George, Utah, at 20,900 feet around 2300. Altitude varied slightly until 2325:57, when it descended to 20,400 feet. At 2326:48, it descended to 20,400 feet again, then to 17,200 feet 32 seconds later. The last radar target was at 13,700 feet eight seconds after that.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was about 33 miles northwest of Prescott, near Haystack Peak, at an elevation of about 5,800 feet. The terrain was flat desert surrounded by pinion pines. The airplane impacted hard desert ground. The largest pieces were about 1 foot in size, mostly contained in a crater. Identifiable parts included the propeller assembly (about 20 feet away), engine components, landing gear, and seats. A larger crater measured 6 feet long and 4 feet deep. The impact appeared to be in a right wing low attitude, with a debris path about 100 yards long.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies were performed on both pilots. The cause of death for each was listed as multiple blunt force injuries due to an aircraft crash. Toxicological testing found no volatiles or tested drugs; tests for carbon monoxide and cyanide were not performed.
Tests and Research
An airframe and engine inspection was conducted at Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona. Limited airframe inspection was possible due to extensive fragmentation. The engine exhibited impact damage, with cylinders and components separated. No signs of abnormal wear or thermal distress were found. The turbocharger showed impact marks consistent with operation at impact. The propeller blades exhibited leading edge gouges and bending.