Accident Overview
On May 27, 2011, at approximately 1500 eastern daylight time, a Boeing A75NA (PT17), registration N60147, descended and impacted terrain while turning crosswind after takeoff from Fremont Municipal Airport (FFX) in Fremont, Michigan. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the intended local flight, which originated from FFX about 1430.
Occupants and Injuries
The airplane transport pilot sustained minor injuries, while the pilot-rated passenger was uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Flight Details
The pilot-rated passenger did not hold a tailwheel endorsement and had received flight instruction from the pilot prior to the accident day. On the accident day, the passenger performed the first takeoff and landing, after which the pilot was to perform the second takeoff and landing while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. The passenger reported that the airplane was running normally and did not sound different before the accident. The passenger stated that he did not realize anything was amiss until he saw tree branches, followed by impact.
The pilot stated that the airplane seemed to stop climbing after it entered the crosswind leg of the departure. The airplane then began to settle and descended into trees.
Toxicology Findings
The Michigan Department of State Police administered a preliminary breath test (PBT) to the pilot at 1610, which produced a result of 0.188 blood alcohol content (BAC). A subsequent laboratory analysis by the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division reported a BAC of 0.15 grams alcohol per 100 milliliters blood.
Propeller and Engine Condition
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the propeller was a McCauley D1093 Navy hub, serial number MC-45-249. One propeller blade was bent backward and exhibited impact marks on the back side of the blade but not on the leading edge. The engine case was cracked.
The Fremont Municipal Airport manager reported that the pilot disassembled and inspected the propeller and noted light corrosion within the hub, then disposed of the hub in the garbage. The manager stated that the propeller blades had been damaged from their impact with trees. The pilot did not believe there was anything wrong with the propeller and declined to provide it for examination, as requested by the FAA inspector and the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge.
Alcohol Effects Reference
The FAA brochure "Alcohol and Flying" describes that blood alcohol concentrations of 0.18% to 0.30% can cause confusion, dizziness, exaggerated emotions (anger, fear, grief), impaired visual perception, decreased pain sensation, impaired balance, staggering gait, slurred speech, and moderate muscular incoordination. Concentrations of 0.09% to 0.25% can result in emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of memory and comprehension, decreased sensory response, and mild muscular incoordination. The brochure further advises that the number of serious errors committed by pilots dramatically increases at or above 0.04% blood alcohol, and that performance decrements can occur at even lower levels.