History of Flight
On September 8, 2010, about 0926 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182T, N804GK, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Helena, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Air Dandy LLC under 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight. The certificated commercial pilot was killed, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. Day instrument meteorological conditions were present. The flight departed West Georgia Regional Airport (CTJ), Carrollton, Georgia, at 0818 en route to Telfair-Wheeler Airport (MQW), McRae, Georgia, under an instrument flight rules flight plan.
At 0907, the pilot requested and was cleared for the GPS approach to runway 21 at MQW, with instructions to maintain 3,000 feet until the initial approach fix FINAN. No further communications were received from the airplane. Radar data showed the airplane intercepted the final approach course at FINAN at 3,000 feet mean sea level, then descended through the final approach fix OTUVE at about 1,800 feet. It continued descending without leveling off at the minimum descent altitude of 780 feet.
A witness near the accident site reported hearing the airplane fly overhead in a northerly direction, then begin a left turn. During the turn, the engine sound stopped, followed by a loud boom. The witness stated it was foggy. Another witness about 3 miles southwest reported fog and visibility estimated at no more than a quarter mile. Due to his injuries, the passenger had no recall of the flight.
Personnel Information
The commercial pilot, seated in the right cockpit seat, held airplane single- and multi-engine land ratings, an instrument rating, and flight instructor certificates. He reported 14,600 civilian flight hours on his most recent FAA medical application (December 2008). His wife estimated he had flown about 150 hours in the Cessna 182.
The private pilot-rated passenger, seated in the left seat, held a single-engine land rating but no instrument rating. He reported 200 civilian flight hours on his June 2010 medical application.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Cessna 182T (serial number 18281324) powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 engine (230 hp). It was equipped with a Garmin G1000 integrated flight instrument system. The most recent annual inspection was performed January 6, 2010, at 604.9 hours total time; the hour meter at the accident site read 725.3 hours.
Meteorological Information
MQW had no weather reporting. Weather at Vidalia Regional Airport (VDI), 27 miles east, at 0920 reported calm winds, 7 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 100 feet. Earlier at VDI: 0800-0820 visibility 0.25 SM, overcast 100 feet; 0840 visibility 4 SM with mist, broken 100 feet; 0900 visibility 0.75 SM with mist, overcast 100 feet. Weather at W.H. "Bud" Barron Airport (DBN), 29 miles north, at 0938 reported calm winds, 5 SM visibility, broken 300 feet; earlier at 0901 visibility 0.75 SM, overcast 100 feet; at 0916 visibility 1.5 SM, broken 100 feet. AIRMET Sierra indicated IFR conditions ending between 0800 and 1100 local. Minimums for the RNAV approach were 600-foot ceiling and 1-mile visibility.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located 2.74 nautical miles from the approach end of runway 21, aligned with the extended centerline. The wreckage path was about 335 feet long on a heading of 215 degrees magnetic. The aircraft struck several trees before coming to rest facing 180 degrees. Tree limbs exhibited smooth cuts and red/black paint transfer consistent with propeller blades. The right wing had aft crushing damage and separated from the fuselage, attached only by control cables. The fuselage was impact-damaged. No fire occurred.
Control cable continuity was confirmed for ailerons, rudder, elevator, and trim. The elevator trim actuator corresponded to about 5 degrees tab down. Flap actuator was in the retracted position. Autopilot servo clutches were free. Fuel samples showed no water. The pitot tube was blocked by debris; static port was clear but separated. Standby instruments indicated 0 knots airspeed and 450 feet altitude with 30.13 inHg set. Engine remained attached to a bent mount. Throttle and mixture controls were separated. Propeller blades showed bending and scoring. The vacuum pump and magnetos functioned when tested.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postmortem examination of the pilot listed cause of death as blunt force injuries to chest and head. The stomach contained partially digested food. Forensic toxicology was negative for ethanol, cyanide, carbon monoxide, and drugs. Elevated glucose levels were noted: vitreous 102 mg/dl, urine 4,750 mg/dl, and hemoglobin A1C 9.8 percent. FAA medical records indicated no history of diabetes, though a 2006 application noted an abnormal urine test positive for sugar with a comment "Airman ate breakfast prior to test... Glucose 147 (post-meal) Non-diabetic." The pilot's wife reported no health complaints or diabetes diagnosis.