History of Flight
On November 29, 2010, at 1845 central standard time, a Beech A36, N1860P, registered to B2 Air LLC, operating as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, collided with the ground while maneuvering near Theodore, Alabama. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot was killed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from St Elmo Airport (2R5), St Elmo, Alabama, about 1837.
A co-owner of the airplane stated that the accident pilot called him around 1730 and said he was going to 2R5 to fly because his night currency had expired. This was the first night flight the pilot conducted in the accident airplane.
According to FAA Mobile Approach Control, the pilot contacted them at 1841:37, stating the weather was lower than anticipated and requesting an IFR clearance with an RNAV approach to runway 6 at 2R5. The airplane was radar identified 3 miles north of 2R5. The pilot was instructed to maintain 2,000 feet and proceed direct to OTUWI intersection. He acknowledged at 1844:04, with no further communications.
A witness, an aircraft mechanic, observed the airplane flying south to north with strobe lights on, below a cloud layer estimated at 500 to 1,000 feet above ground. It was very dark with no ambient light. The engine sounded like 60 to 70 percent power. He heard an increase in engine power followed by an impact and explosion.
Another witness saw the airplane in straight and level flight, in and out of clouds. The ceiling was about 500 feet. The engine noise stopped and the sky illuminated as the airplane hit the ground.
Radar data showed the airplane at 700 feet msl at 1842:19, then a right climbing turn to 900 feet at 1843:29, left turn, then climbing to 1,100 feet. The last radar contact was at 1,000 feet in a descending right turn at 1844:20.
Personnel Information
The 37-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate issued on September 14, 2010, with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His last instrument proficiency check and flight review were on September 14, 2010. He had logged 164.2 total flight hours, including 27.7 hours in the Beech A36. He had 4.1 hours of night flight time, with the last recorded night flight on September 14, 2009. He had no previous night flights in the Beech A36. He logged 4.5 hours of actual instrument flight time, with 1 hour as PIC. His last instrument flight was on October 24, 2010, in a Cessna 172.
Aircraft Information
The Beech A36 was a six-place airplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, serial number E-1934, manufactured in 1981. It was powered by a Continental IO-550, 300-horsepower engine. The last annual and 100-hour inspection was on November 11, 2010, at tachometer time 3598.2 hours. A factory new engine was installed on September 25, 2008, at tachometer 3558.5 hours, and the airplane had flown 39.7 hours since. Total airframe hours at the annual inspection were 3598.2. The altimeter, transponder, and altitude reporting system were tested on October 1, 2010. The owner stated the airplane was topped off with 90 gallons of 100 low lead fuel on November 27, 2010.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, NWS depicted a warm front over southern Alabama with extensive IFR conditions. The accident site was under a large area of IFR ceilings between 500 and 900 feet agl. Two tornado watches were west of the area, but no echoes were in the vicinity of the accident. The closest reporting station, Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), reported winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 18, visibility 10 miles, ceiling broken at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet. Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM) reported at 1853 winds 160 at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles in mist, ceiling broken at 1,100 feet. Trent Lott International Airport (PQL) reported overcast at 900 feet. A sounding from Slidell, Louisiana, indicated strong vertical wind shear with potential for moderate to severe turbulence. Forecasts included AIRMETs for IFR conditions and moderate turbulence. The pilot did not file a flight plan or obtain a weather briefing.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The crash site was in a pasture near Theodore, Alabama, about 2 miles north of 2R5. The airplane collided with the ground nose down on a heading of 246 degrees magnetic. No debris line existed. Browning of vegetation was present. The nose and cabin area were buried 4 feet deep. A post-crash fire partially consumed the wreckage. The propeller hub was fragmented. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The fuel selector was in the left main position. The airspeed indicator showed 152 knots, and the vertical speed indicator indicated 4,000 feet per minute climb. Both wings were separated and fire damaged. The left flap was extended about 16 degrees. The engine examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies; the vacuum pump rotor block was shattered.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the pilot determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests were negative for ethanol, carbon monoxide, and drugs.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular 60-4A discusses spatial disorientation and the importance of flight instruments when natural horizon or surface references are obscured. Beechcraft safety information notes that strobe lights can contribute to vertigo in low visibility or at night.