Accident Details
On July 14, 2009, at 2151 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, registration N5519W, was destroyed when it impacted terrain and trees approximately 2 miles northeast of the Cincinnati Municipal Airport – Lunken Field (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The airplane had departed the Warren-Lebanon County Airport (I68) at 1815 for a local flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that his intention was to “simply enjoy several hours” of night flying and then return to I68. He first flew to Fayette City (I23), Ohio, and landed there around 1930. After departing I23, he noticed that the aircraft compass and directional gyro indications did not match. He was not familiar with the new GPS in the airplane and was unable to obtain navigational information from it. He “hunted around” for approximately an hour but did not recognize any landmarks or alternate airports. The pilot stated that he flew circles of increasing radius “in hope of coming across a field I did recognize.”
As it became very dark, he saw a rotating airport beacon and headed toward it. Upon nearing the field, he observed two runways outlined in orange light. He stated, “Unaware that this was Lunken (LUK), I set up an approach, flying a N [north] downwind. As I turned to base, I hit the trees paralleling the runway.”
Witness Observations
Witnesses who were fishing from the bank of a river near the accident site reported hearing the airplane approaching. They saw it approaching from the east, flying toward LUK. The airplane was seen in level flight for approximately 3 to 5 seconds at tree top level before it impacted the trees. There was no explosion or fire.
Wreckage Examination
Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the wreckage at the accident site and after it had been moved to a hangar at LUK. The on-site inspection revealed tree branches with 45-degree cuts, consistent with propeller blade strikes. Foliage exhibited signatures consistent with fuel blight. Propeller blade “A” was bent aft about 30 degrees near mid-span, with the outboard portion displaying “S” bending along the leading edge. The leading edge had pits, and the front of the blade showed chordwise surface scratching. Propeller blade “B” had leading edge pits and chordwise surface scratching. Inspection of flight control cables showed they were secured to the aileron bellcranks, rudder bellcrank, and stabilator balance tube. Cable breaks displayed signatures consistent with overload.