History of Flight
On February 21, 2010, about 1826 central standard time, a Piper PA 46-350P, N350WF, was destroyed when it impacted a building and the ground near Belleville, Illinois. The airplane was approaching to land at St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), Cahokia, Illinois. The airplane was registered to Bingham Capital Markets St. Louis, Inc., and was piloted by a private pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The flight originated from Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Florida, about 1320.
The pilot had flown to Vero Beach to receive training in the accident airplane and was on the return trip. A certificated flight instructor who administered training on February 19–21, 2010, stated that a significant portion of training was spent on operation of the Garmin GPS. The pilot initially had problems with the GPS interface but met the requirements of the Private Pilot/Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards upon completion. The instructor indicated the training constituted an Instrument Proficiency Check, and the pilot’s logbook was endorsed accordingly.
According to flight service station records, the pilot telephoned the Washington, D.C., automated flight service station at 1155, filed an IFR flight plan from VRB to CPS, and received a preflight weather briefing. The pilot estimated 4 hours 30 minutes flight duration and reported 7 hours of fuel on board. The briefer noted an AIRMET for IFR conditions covering the destination area.
During departure and en route, the pilot communicated with air traffic control. At 1805:51, the pilot contacted St. Louis TRACON at 7,000 feet msl descending to 6,000 feet. The controller cleared the pilot for an ILS approach to runway 30L at CPS. Radar track data showed the airplane about 42 nm from CPS at 6,800 feet. At 1814:31, the controller cleared the approach; the airplane was 19 nm from CPS at 3,700 feet. At 1816:55, the controller advised the pilot he was right of the inbound course; the pilot acknowledged. At 1817:32, the controller again noted the deviation and suggested a 5-7 degree left turn. At 1818:43, when on course, the controller instructed the pilot to contact CPS tower, but the pilot did not. Radar showed the airplane crossed the inbound course and continued a left turn away. At 1820:50, the pilot re-established contact with TRACON, 8.8 nm from CPS, heading about 200 degrees at 2,300 feet. The pilot stated he had problems with the autopilot but later said they were resolved. At 1823:05, the controller assigned a heading of 330 degrees and altitude 2,100 feet, again cleared for the approach. The airplane continued through the inbound course. At 1824:22, the controller issued a low altitude alert and noted the airplane was right of course. The airplane turned left and climbed. About 30 seconds later, the controller asked if the pilot wanted to abort; the pilot declined. No further transmissions were received. The radar track showed the airplane intercepted the inbound course about 0.3 nm from the outer marker at 1,800 feet, the last radar position. The accident site was 0.4 nm and 317 degrees from that position.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 65, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument ratings. His flight logbooks were reportedly in the airplane and not located. He also held a third-class medical certificate issued June 29, 2009, requiring corrective lenses. He last reported 1,750 hours of total flight experience on his medical application.
Aircraft Information
The six-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear airplane, serial number 4622082, was manufactured in 1989. It was powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A engine rated at 350 horsepower. Aircraft maintenance records were not located, but the mechanic who performed the most recent annual inspection on November 12, 2009, provided copies. The inspection recorded an hour meter reading of 3,208.9 hours, airframe total time of 3,208.9 hours, and engine total time of 1,133.5 hours.
Meteorological Information
At 1824, weather at CPS included wind from 70 degrees at 6 knots, 2 statute miles visibility, rain and mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, broken clouds at 1,800 feet, and overcast at 4,800 feet above ground level.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane struck a multi-purpose building about 4.7 nm from the approach end of runway 30L and about 0.1 nm from the locator outer marker. The building was adjacent to a grass airstrip and used as a residence, business, and hangar. The airplane came to rest within the building, and a post-impact fire ensued. The airplane, building, and contents were almost completely consumed. The wreckage was removed to a storage facility for examination. The airplane was severely fragmented with burning and melting. Examination of recovered flight control, engine, and airframe components revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy was performed on the pilot on February 22, 2010, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Illinois, as authorized by the St. Clair County Coroner. No toxicology samples were submitted to the FAA.