Accident Overview
On December 9, 2009, at approximately 0600 central standard time, a Beech A36 single-engine airplane, registration N1105N, was destroyed when it struck terrain during an instrument approach to Maverick County Memorial International Airport (5T9) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The sole occupant, an airline transport pilot, sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated by a private individual under Part 91 business flight rules, with an instrument flight rules flight plan filed from Kerrville Municipal Airport (KERV) in Texas. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed.
Flight and Weather Conditions
After departing KERV, the pilot contacted Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center, received his IFR clearance, and was provided weather information from nearby stations. The pilot stated his intention to perform the RNAV (GPS) Runway 31 approach at 5T9, with Uvalde as an alternate. At 0546, the pilot reported having the airport in sight and identifying the prison lights adjacent to the runway. The controller cleared the approach, and no further communications were received. No distress calls were made.
Weather observations from Del Rio (KDRT) at 0553 reported fog with 1/4-mile visibility and an indefinite ceiling; Laughlin Air Force Base (KDLF) at 0552 indicated less than 1/4-mile visibility and fog; while Uvalde (KUVA) at 0609 showed clear skies and 10 miles visibility. Sheriff deputies arriving at the scene later described conditions as "foggy."
Wreckage Examination
The accident site was located on the east side of the airport boundary. The airplane collided with a fence before impacting the ground, coming to rest inverted approximately 750 feet east of Runway 31, on a heading of about 018 degrees. The wreckage path extended approximately 95 feet from the initial fence strike. A post-crash fire consumed much of the cabin area.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was extended, and the right flap was set to approximately 12.5 degrees. The propeller remained attached to the engine; one blade exhibited a forward curve and gouges on the leading edge, consistent with fence impact. The engine and airframe showed no pre-impact malfunctions during on-site inspection. Subsequently, the engine was removed and test-run at a facility, where it operated at rated power without issues.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including multi-engine land, commercial single and multi-engine land/sea, glider, instrument, and flight instructor. He held a first-class medical certificate issued in September 2009, reporting 28,425 total flight hours, with 150 hours in the preceding six months.
Weather and Approach Details
The airport, Maverick County Memorial International, is a non-towered field with a single asphalt runway (13-31) measuring 5,506 feet by 100 feet. The RNAV (GPS) Runway 31 approach has published minimums of 400-foot ceiling and one-mile visibility. The airport is equipped with medium intensity runway lighting but no touchdown lights. Online information noted the runway markings as "in poor condition."
Radar data showed the airplane descending from 7,900 feet to approximately 1,300 feet during the approach. The last radar plot at 0557:57 indicated an altitude of 1,200 feet, positioned east of the runway about 435 feet from the accident site.
Medical and Toxicological Findings
An autopsy performed by the Webb County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as carbon monoxide intoxication resulting from the fire. The examination also noted significant heart disease, which may have increased susceptibility to lower carbon monoxide levels. Toxicological testing detected carbon monoxide (12%), cyanide (0.63 ug/ml), and acetaminophen (13.05 ug/ml) in the pilot's blood.