History of Flight
On October 5, 2011, at approximately 1825 eastern daylight time, an Aviat A-1, registration N11HU, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Moyock, North Carolina. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which originated at the pilot's property. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to a witness in a pickup truck, the airplane was flying over several fields at an altitude about two to three times the height of surrounding trees. As it flew by, a wing dipped. The witness briefly looked away and then saw the airplane hit the ground and turn until it faced north. The witness, familiar with the engine sound, reported that the engine sounded normal with no sputtering or backfires just before the accident.
Another witness, driving south on a nearby paved road, observed the airplane during its last 5 seconds of flight. The airplane was above the tree line when the wings went vertical. The nose, already low, continued lower until about 45 degrees below the horizon, and the airplane maintained that nose-low turn until impact.
Aircraft Information
No airplane logbooks were located; associates of the pilot indicated they were likely consumed in an automobile fire earlier in 2011. Duplicate logbook computer printouts from a maintenance facility revealed that the airplane had undergone an annual inspection on June 6, 2011, at which time the tachometer indicated 346.2 hours. Total actual time on the airframe and engine could not be determined.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 59, did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate. FAA records indicated he held a student pilot certificate from August 2001 through August 2003. Associates believed the pilot's logbook was destroyed in the same automobile fire that destroyed the airplane's logbooks. Although flight hours could not be determined, witnesses stated that the pilot would fly over his farm fields up to several times a week. FAA records also showed the pilot registered the airplane on March 5, 2002.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions recorded at an airport about 10 statute miles to the northwest at 1835 included calm wind, clear skies, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 22°C, dew point 12°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.15 inches Hg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located in a recently-planted farm field at 36 degrees 29.76 minutes north latitude, 076 degrees 14.06 minutes west longitude. Ground scarring about 5 feet in length and red plastic lens material indicated the left wing tip struck first in a direction of about 080 degrees magnetic. There was an absence of ground scarring for about 30 feet, followed by a ground scar oriented roughly perpendicular to the initial scar, consistent with the airplane turning about 90 degrees. Another 30-foot gap then ground scars consistent with the airplane sliding sideways until it stopped.
The bottom front of the nose cowling was pushed upward about 30 degrees. All flight control surfaces were accounted for, and control continuity was confirmed to all except the right aileron, which was jammed by bent metal. The flaps were down. The tachometer indicated 346.2 hours, the same as during the annual inspection 4 months earlier.
No anomalies were found that would have precluded normal engine operation. The ignition had been turned off by an initial responder. Fuel, light blue and absent of debris, was found in both fuel tanks, and light blue fuel was drained from the carburetor. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed, cylinder compression confirmed, and top spark plug electrodes were light gray. The magnetos could not be removed due to engine compression against the firewall, but when the crankshaft was rotated, snapping was heard from both magnetos. The propeller exhibited little leading edge damage; the terrain consisted of soft, damp peat. Both propeller blades had chordwise staining on the back sides, with one blade showing a small area of chordwise scratching.
Medical and Toxicological Information
An autopsy performed at the Eastern Carolina University Brody School of Medicine determined the cause of death as blunt trauma to the head due to airplane crash. The autopsy also noted marked hypertrophy of the heart and severe coronary artery stenosis: 95% of the left anterior descending, 80% of the right coronary, 95% of the circumflex, and 60% of the left coronary artery.
Toxicological testing by the FAA's Forensic Toxicology Research Team detected:
- 0.111 ug/ml of Benzoylecgonine in urine (not in blood)
- Ecgonine Methyl Ester in urine (not in blood)
- Cetirizine in urine and blood
- Diphenhydramine in urine (not in blood)
- Ibuprofen in urine
- Lidocaine in blood
According to the FAA Aerospace Medical Research website, Benzoylecgonine is the predominant cocaine metabolite, inactive, and indicates cocaine use. Ecgonine methyl ester is an inactive minor metabolite of cocaine. Cetirizine relieves allergy symptoms and may cause drowsiness. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that may impair mental/physical ability for hazardous tasks. Ibuprofen is a non-narcotic analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic.
The medical examiner stated that the drugs found did not likely contribute to the crash.