History of Flight
On January 10, 2010, about 1345 Hawaiian standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8934N, struck the southeast side of a ridge while approaching Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii. The non-instrument rated private pilot, who also owned the aircraft, operated the flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Both the pilot and one passenger died. The airplane sustained substantial damage from impact and a subsequent ground fire.
The personal cross-country flight departed Lanai Airport on Lanai, Hawaii, about 1315, destined for Honolulu on Oahu. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site, and the pilot was receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following without a filed flight plan.
Witnesses, including hikers near the ridge, reported low clouds and poor visibility. One heard the engine continuously until impact, with no sounds of turning or pulling up. Another observed the airplane pass briefly before disappearing into clouds. A different witness saw the airplane flying low and veer into the ridge.
The direct route from Lanai to Honolulu is about 63 nautical miles on a heading of 300 degrees true. The pilot was on the Kona Arrival, a VFR arrival procedure to Honolulu Airport. The procedure directs aircraft to KoKo Head VORTAC, then to Waialae Golf Course, and then follow the H-1 Freeway to enter the left base for runway 22L.
Recorded radar data and ATC communications were reviewed. At 1332:51, the approach controller told the pilot to proceed to KoKo Head; the pilot requested a vector, and the controller assigned 290 degrees. At 1335:20, the pilot reported "no joy on Oahu." The controller then directed him to resume navigation via the Kona Arrival. At 1339:10, the pilot reported being abeam KoKo Head. At 1342:40, he reported being "in the rain at golf course" and proceeding to Punchbowl. At 1344:00, the pilot reported being at Punchbowl at 1,900 feet msl, inbound for runway 22L. The controller responded that the airplane was heading toward the mountains and toward Ana Hina. The pilot requested a vector to intercept landing. The controller instructed a turn southbound to 180 degrees.
Radar data showed the target about 5 miles east-southeast of KoKo Head at 1339:10, and later about 0.5 miles offshore and 2.5 miles east of the golf course. Altitude remained at 1,700 feet until reaching rising terrain, then last recorded at 1,800 feet. The last radar return was at 1344:23, about 0.5 miles southeast of the accident site.
Personnel Information
The 81-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land ratings. A third-class medical was issued June 20, 2009, requiring corrective lenses. He reported 5,900 total flight hours. He was a member of the United Flying Octogenarians. Family indicated the pilot, a veterinarian, commuted regularly between Honolulu and Lanai on Sundays.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-32-300, serial number 32-40734, was manufactured in 1969 and purchased by the pilot in February 2000. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine. No maintenance records were found.
Meteorological Information
A METAR at 1353 reported scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, broken at 2,400 feet, visibility 7 statute miles with light rain, and altimeter 29.91 inches. About 25 minutes after the accident, ceilings lowered to 2,200 feet with few clouds at 1,200 feet in heavy rain. Doppler radar showed light to moderate rain showers around southeastern Oahu, with cloud tops to 8,000 feet. An advancing weakening cold front caused the inclement weather.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage was at approximately 21°19′33″N, 157°45′58.8″W, elevation about 1,950 feet msl, about 10 nautical miles east of the airport. The main wreckage (fuselage, tail, wings) came to rest about 30 feet below the peak of an east-west ridge on an 80-degree slope with rock outcroppings and vegetation.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the pilot and toxicological tests at CAMI were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and listed drugs.
Tests and Research
An examination on January 16, 2010, at a hangar in Honolulu revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure. The cockpit was consumed by fire; the altimeter displayed over 2,000 feet with a Kollsman setting of 29.90. Wing leading-edge damage was consistent with high-speed impact. The engine showed no internal anomalies except bent pushrods on cylinder No. 5 from impact. Propeller blades exhibited torsion and an S-bend. The vacuum pump was intact.
Additional Information
An ATC controller interviewed stated the pilot was well known and had a reputation for navigating as he saw fit rather than complying with procedures. At the time of the accident, the controller was handling only this aircraft. She believed the pilot might have been avoiding clouds and that he was operating VFR. When the pilot reported being over Punchbowl but was not close, she realized he was lost. She instructed a turn southbound as he headed toward mountains. The controller considered the terrain in Aina Haina Valley a canyon with room to turn, but questioned whether the airplane could climb fast enough. FAA Order 7110.65 requires safety alerts for unsafe proximity to terrain; the controller did not issue a low-altitude alert.
No probable cause was stated in the source.