Accident
On July 28, 2010, at about 1125 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N57PJ, collided with terrain during an off-airport forced landing approximately 32 miles northeast of Walla Walla, Washington. The private pilot, operating under Part 91, was seriously injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local personal flight had departed Martin Field in College Place, Washington, around 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
The pilot intended to conduct a local scenic flight and took Dramamine prior to takeoff in anticipation of turbulence over the mountains. During preflight, both wing tanks were filled to the tabs, and the pilot took off with the fuel selector on the right tank. He climbed to 10,000 feet and proceeded. At 1030, the pilot reported an anomaly with the airplane to air traffic control and declared an emergency, though he was unable to determine the problem.
According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot's last memory was reporting 10 miles east of Walla Walla Airport at 10,000 feet. He had no recollection of any events between that position report and August 1.
Air Traffic Control Communications
Air traffic controllers at Walla Walla Regional Airport reported that the pilot stated he was at 10,600 feet mean sea level inbound from about 10 miles north of Walla Walla, experiencing difficulty. He was advised to continue inbound. Over the next 60 minutes, after numerous requests, the pilot stated it might be an electrical problem. The controller noted that the pilot's voice became more unsure and his speech rate deteriorated. The controller advised opening vents and windows. Shortly after the last communication, the controller received notification of the downed airplane.
Radar Track and Witness Account
Radar data showed a normal ground track initially, then the airplane meandered in circular patterns before making a zigzag-like flight path to the crash site 32 miles northeast of Walla Walla Airport.
A witness observed the landing: the pilot fully stalled the airplane just above a wheat field. The airplane struck the ground extremely hard and nosed over. The pilot was unconscious when the witness arrived. The witness also noted no gas leaking from the wings or smell of gas.
Examination
An on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the fuel selector valve was on the right tank. The tank was not breached and contained no fluid or fuel. The wing spar and fuselage sustained substantial damage. There was a lack of fuel smell and damage to the propeller blades.
A letter dated September 7, 2010, from the pilot's attorney to the FAA Northwest Mountain Regional Medical Office stated that for personnel reasons, the pilot was surrendering his medical certificate.