History of Flight
On October 13, 2011, at 1911 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N3086X, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain at Berkeley County Airport (MKS), Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured. Twilight visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to a flight instructor, the pilot intended to practice for an upcoming flight review. No witnesses observed the accident, but one witness saw the pilot park his car near the hangar, untie the airplane, and pull it out. The witness noted it was not quite dark when he left. Radar captured a target with transponder code 1200 departing runway 23 at 1851 at 100 feet. The target made turns, flew a left downwind at 800 feet, and performed a left descending turn to final approach to runway 23, with last radar contact at 1902. At 1907, another target departed runway 23, flew a left downwind, and was last contacted approaching runway 23 at 1911. No further radar contact was made. The pilot was reported missing on October 24, 2011, and he and the airplane were found on October 27, 2011.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 64, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued April 15, 2011, with 1,060 total hours reported. According to logbooks, his most recent flight review was June 15, 2002, and his most recent recorded flight was May 8, 2011, at 1,062.6 hours.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, manufactured in 1966, was registered to the owner on August 10, 1992. It was powered by a Continental Motors O-200 series, 100-horsepower engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 10, 2011, with a total time of 3,600.2 hours and tachometer time of 1,688.0 hours. At the accident site, tachometer time was 1,688.9 hours.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at the airport at 1855 included calm wind, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 22°C, dew point 18°C, and altimeter setting 29.65 inHg. Sunset occurred at 1849, end of civil twilight at 1914, moonrise at 1933 with a 98% visible disk.
Airport Information
Runway 23 was 4,351 feet long and 75 feet wide, constructed of concrete. The airport had no control tower; communications used common traffic advisory frequency and were not recorded.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located in a level, wooded area about 60 feet outside the northwest airport perimeter fence, about 1,900 feet from the approach end of runway 23. The airplane came to rest at 33°11.24'N, 080°02.25'W. Initial tree cuts were consistent with an approximately 45° right-wing-down turn, 45° angle of descent, on a 330° magnetic heading. The airplane wedged between trees with wings nearly vertical. The right wing tip was bent 90° toward and under the fuselage. The fuselage rested parallel to and about 5 feet above ground. All components were present; flight control continuity was confirmed. Flaps were extended to about 15°. The engine firewall was deflected upward; fuselage and empennage intact but wrinkled and dented. Both wings had leading edge aft crushing. Propeller blades showed damage. Engine continuity was confirmed, compression on three cylinders, spark on all magneto towers, fuel present in right tank, lines, and carburetor. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were found.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot was found about 30 feet from the airplane. An autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina reported the cause of death as "probable toxic effects of ethylene glycol." Autopsy findings included scattered contusions, rib fractures, and hemorrhagic abdominal wall musculature. Microscopic kidney examination revealed numerous fan-shaped, birefringent crystals. Forensic toxicology detected Bupropion in urine (not blood) and Lamotrigine in urine and blood; ethylene glycol was not noted. Bupropion and Lamotrigine were not reported on the pilot's medical application; treating physicians could not be identified. The NTSB Medical Officer Factual Report noted Bupropion is an antidepressant with seizure risk and may impair ability to perform hazardous tasks; Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure medication also used for bipolar disease. The investigation did not determine how the pilot may have ingested ethylene glycol.