History of Flight
On October 18, 2009, at 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N7906W, was substantially damaged when it struck a tree during the landing rollout at Oliver Springs Airport (TN08) in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. The private pilot was fatally injured, and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions as a local personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed.
A witness, an airport-based aircraft owner, observed the approach to runway 15. He noted the airplane appeared higher and faster than normal. The airplane touched down firmly, bounced 4 to 5 feet, then landed again with the nose wheel contacting first. After the wheels stayed on the ground, the airplane began to slide at an angle toward the trees on the opposite side of the runway. It then turned about 180 degrees, slid off the runway into trees, and the engine went to full power. The engine continued to run for approximately 30 seconds before stopping. The witness reported the runway was wet and muddy in spots but firm.
One adult passenger, seated in the right rear seat, stated that during the flight, the pilot flew over their house and near wind turbines, but due to turbulence and the daughter feeling ill, the pilot decided to return to the airport. The passenger felt the landing speed was faster than expected. After the first bounce, the airplane turned left approximately 45 degrees, slid toward the woods, swung around, and impacted a tree on the left side. The right-side passenger door opened, and the propeller spun rapidly until the engine stopped on its own.
Another witness, who had flown with the pilot previously, saw the airplane porpoise 1 to 2 feet during landing, then turn out of view behind a hangar. He later found the airplane in the woods with the engine racing, which stopped when he was about 50 yards away. A handheld GPS unit recorded a groundspeed at touchdown of about 90 mph.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 65, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on August 29, 2008. According to his logbook, he had 228 hours of total flight time, with 1.3 hours logged in the preceding 90 days.
Aircraft and Airport Information
The Piper PA-28-181 was powered by a Lycoming O-360 engine. Its last annual inspection was completed on January 24, 2009. The airport, elevation 790 feet, had a single turf runway 15/33 measuring 2,800 feet by 200 feet. Obstructions included a mountain 2,500 feet from the runway requiring an 8:1 slope to clear. Due to five days of prior rain, the runway was soggy and wet but not puddled.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, about 3 miles southeast at a 200-foot higher elevation, at 1353 reported scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, visibility 10 statute miles, wind from 350 degrees true at 5 knots, temperature 10°C, dew point -1°C, altimeter 29.34 inches Hg. A witness noted winds from the north were inconsistent, with a flag varying from limp to fully unfurled.
Wreckage and Impact Examination
Examination of the turf runway revealed skid marks starting about 1,300 feet from the runway threshold. Initial skid marks were consistent with a slight left skid, then disappeared for about 75 feet indicating a bounce, reappearing with the nose tire mark first. The nose and left tire marks converged, then separated. The airplane passed through a single-strand barbed wire fence, and the nose tire mark crossed the right tire mark, consistent with the airplane swapping ends about 50 feet before impacting a tree near the left wing root. Barbed wire was wrapped around the nose landing gear.
The flaps were found full down, stabilator trim slightly down, mixture full rich, throttle full forward, fuel selector on left tank. Fuel and brake lines were ruptured. Wheels turned freely.
Medical and Toxicological Information
An autopsy determined the pilot's cause of death as blunt force injuries of the head, neck, and torso. Toxicological testing detected dextrorphan, doxylamine, and pseudoephedrine in urine but not in blood. The pilot's FAA medical records indicated a history of hay fever and allergies.