History of Flight
On July 3, 2011, about 2021 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180D (N6451X) struck a telephone line spanning the Santa Clara River, about 1.8 miles south-southwest of Santa Paula Airport (SZP), California. The commercial pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 and departed SZP about 2000. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
A witness, a rated pilot at SZP, observed the airplane during the accident flight. He reported that the pilot performed a short field takeoff and two traffic pattern circuits. During the third takeoff, the airplane turned left, overflew the south side of the airport, and proceeded toward the Santa Clara River at about 100 feet above ground level. The witness stated the airplane did not gain additional altitude and he lost sight of it flying west over the river. The engine sounded normal throughout.
Another witness on a hillside about 450 feet south-southeast of the accident site heard the engine for a few seconds before the crash. He did not see the accident but immediately after the engine sound stopped, he observed a fire in the river bed and found the airplane engulfed in flames.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 43, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. He held a second-class medical certificate issued July 6, 2010, with no limitations. He reported 1,930 total flight hours on his most recent medical application.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, high-wing, conventional gear airplane (serial number 18050951) was manufactured in 1960 and powered by a Continental O-470-L (10) engine rated at 230 horsepower, equipped with a McCauley adjustable pitch propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed February 15, 2011, at 3,596.8 total airframe hours. Airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks were not located.
Meteorological Information
Recorded data from the Camarillo Airport automated weather observation station (6.8 miles south) at 1955 reported wind from 210 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 9 miles, clear sky, temperature 18°C, dew point 15°C, and altimeter 29.77 inHg. Official sunset occurred at 2012, with end of civil twilight at 2042.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination revealed a downed telephone line oriented north-south, spanning the river between two poles. The wires were about 85 feet high; poles were about 15 feet higher. No line marking balls were observed. Airplane components (wing tips, navigation light lens fragments, plexiglas windscreen, ground scar) were found over an estimated 175-foot-long distance beginning about 180 feet southwest of the downed line, oriented on a heading of about 220 degrees magnetic.
The fuselage, cockpit, and instrument panel were consumed by post-impact fire. A cable mark was noted on the right wing leading edge about 12 inches outboard of the flap/aileron split, oriented approximately 45 degrees to the leading edge (inboard on top to outboard on bottom). Flight control continuity was established to all primary surfaces.
The engine separated from its mount; wye-ducting, carburetor, and induction elbow were found in the debris path. Engine exterior showed thermal discoloration; magnetos remained attached with similar discoloration. Borescope examination of cylinders revealed dark grey deposits on piston heads and combustion chambers; valve heads were unremarkable. Crankshaft rotation produced thumb compression on all six cylinders, and engine and valve train continuity was established. Spark was observed from all ignition leads during rotation. The propeller remained attached with chordwise score marks, leading edge nicks, and torsional deformation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Ventura County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on July 4, 2011, and determined the cause of death as "thermal injuries with smoke/soot inhalation." FAA toxicology tests detected 18 percent carbon monoxide in the pilot's blood; tests for cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were also performed.