History of Flight
On November 23, 2010, about 1930 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), registration N548C, was substantially damaged when it impacted water during an approach to Destin/Ft. Walton Beach Airport (DTS), Destin, Florida. The airplane had departed Lake Front Airport (NEW), New Orleans, Louisiana, about 1820. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The accident flight departed NEW about 1820 and flew at a cruise altitude of 13,000 feet mean sea level. Radar data from Eglin Radar Control Facility indicated that prior to the approach, the pilot had turned to an approximate 180-degree heading and appeared to be heading toward another airport. The controller reassigned a heading to intercept the final approach for the RNAV/GPS 14 approach. The airplane was cleared for the RNAV/GPS 14 approach to DTS. At approximately 200 feet msl, radar contact went into Coast mode followed by a loss of radar contact. A search began and the aircraft was located in Choctawhatchee Bay, in the water, about 2024. The last two recorded transmissions on the Destin Unicom frequency were about two minutes apart; the last transmission at about 1929 stated, "Destin traffic, Mirage five four eight Charlie is on a three and a half mile final on the RNAV one four." No transmissions indicated a malfunction. A weather briefing was received at 1547.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 47, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on February 18, 2009. His logbook showed total flight experience of 407.5 hours, with 33.7 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A flight review and instrument competency review were completed on November 6, 2010.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, manufactured in 2001, was equipped with a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A engine. Two annual inspections were completed within the 12 months prior to the accident; the most recent was on September 14, 2010 (though not signed by an A&P with IA), and a signed annual was on May 21, 2010. The tachometer indicated 760.7 hours at the time of the accident. The pilot purchased the airplane on October 29, 2010.
Meteorological Information
The 1953 recorded weather at DTS included winds from 140 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 1/4 mile due to fog, vertical visibility 100 feet, temperature 19°C, dew point 19°C, and altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury. Terminal Area Forecasts for nearby airfields expected 1/2 mile visibility in fog with ceiling or vertical visibility of 100 feet at the accident time.
Airport Information
Destin/Ft. Walton Beach Airport has a single runway (14/32) that is 4,999 feet long and 100 feet wide, with a 4-light PAPI and displaced thresholds. No control tower; communication via common traffic advisory frequency. The runway 14 RNAV approach required minimum visibility of 1 mile and ceiling no lower than 460 feet msl. The approach had step-down fixes at 2,000 feet and 1,600 feet, with a minimum descent altitude of 460 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was found inverted in Choctawhatchee Bay, 512 yards from shore and about 5,000 feet from the runway 14 threshold. The engine was impact-separated. Right main and nose landing gear were down and locked; left main gear was retracted. Flaps were retracted. Aileron trim indicated full nose-down. The throttle, mixture, and propeller levers were in the full forward position. The fuel tank selector was set to the right tank. The pilot's altimeter Kollsman window was set to 30.11 inches. The engine-driven fuel pump was intact; the mixture control arm was in idle cut-off. Both magnetos were intact but could not produce spark when turned by hand. Vacuum pumps were intact and rotated smoothly. The propeller governor control arm was about 1/2 inch from the high rpm stop. All three propeller blades were impact-separated at the hub; two were recovered.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Office of the Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot, reporting cause of death as "multiple blunt impact trauma." Toxicological testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs.
Tests and Research
The left main landing gear actuator was tested and performed within tolerance. Several GPS devices could not be downloaded due to salt water intrusion and battery loss.