History of Flight
On June 13, 2010, about 1800 central daylight time, a Beech A36, registration N6036U, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Lidderdale, Iowa. The airplane was registered to OK Flying LLC and operated by a private pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the surface, with instrument conditions at 1,100 feet above ground level. No flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Algona Municipal Airport (AXA), Algona, Iowa, at an unconfirmed time, and was destined for Lamar Municipal Airport (LLU), Lamar, Missouri.
The pilot contacted the Fort Worth Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) at 0556 and obtained a weather briefing for a proposed VFR flight from AXA to LLU. The briefer informed the pilot of widespread instrument conditions along the route, including convective activity and an AIRMET for IFR conditions. The pilot stated he would call back later.
At 1403, the pilot contacted the Washington AFSS and again obtained weather information. The briefer noted an AIRMET for instrument conditions at the departure airport and over western Iowa, valid until 2200, and convective activity. The pilot again said he would call back.
At 1634, the pilot contacted the Fort Worth AFSS. He mentioned seeing gaps in the clouds at AXA. The briefer advised that marginal VFR conditions existed for most of the route but there were still IFR areas, and that VFR flight was not recommended.
The airplane impacted terrain about 62 nautical miles south-southwest of the departure airport. The destination was about 280 nm south of the accident site.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate issued in August 2003 with an airplane single-engine land rating. He did not have an instrument rating. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued January 26, 2010, with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. His flight logbook was not recovered. He reported 900 hours of flight experience on his medical application.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1979 Beechcraft Model A36, serial number E-1422, a single-engine, low-wing monoplane seating six. It had retractable tricycle landing gear and was powered by a Continental IO-550-B engine rated at 300 horsepower. The airplane logbooks were not recovered.
Meteorological Conditions
At 1800, weather at Arthur N Neu Airport, Carroll, Iowa, about 4 nm south of the accident site, was recorded as: wind 20 degrees at 8 knots; visibility 10 miles; overcast ceiling at 1,100 feet agl; temperature 68°F; dew point 62°F; altimeter 29.99 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was distributed along a path from the initial impact point in a corn field, continuing across a road into another field. Fuel blight was evident on crops two days later. Major components were identified within the wreckage path. The airplane was severely fragmented, with pieces distributed over a wide area fanning from the initial impact point. The wreckage path was about 1,000 feet long from the initial impact to the separated engine. A T-shaped ground scar at the initial impact matched the airplane's dimensions. Green fragments of glass consistent with the right navigation light lens were found near the right side of the scar, consistent with an upright orientation at impact.
The fuselage was fragmented and the cabin crushed. The aft fuselage and empennage came to rest adjacent to the cabin remains. The vertical stabilizer and left horizontal stabilizer remained attached. The rudder and left elevator (inboard half with trim tab) remained attached. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were separated. Both wings were fragmented. The left wing outboard section, aileron, and flap were separated. The right wing was separated, crushed, and torn open. The right flap and aileron were separated.
The propeller flange separated from the crankshaft but remained attached to the hub. All three blade shanks were in the hub; one blade separated from its shank, the others exhibited bending and twisting.
The engine separated from the airplane. Both magnetos separated; one was located and produced spark on all leads. All six cylinders remained attached. The lower crankcase and oil pan separated. Valve train continuity was established visually.
Examination revealed no anomalies with the airplane, engine, or systems.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner attributed the cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries. A Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute detected ethanol in muscle at 27 mg/dL.