History of Flight
On November 29, 2011, at 1824 central standard time, a Piper Aircraft, Inc., PA-31 (Navajo), registration N6485L, impacted obstructions during an emergency landing at Lakefront Airport (NEW), New Orleans, Louisiana. The commercial pilot became incapacitated and died; the passenger suffered minor injuries. The airplane sustained minor damage. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at about 1547 from Stephenville Airport (SEP), Stephenville, Texas.
The passenger, who was not a pilot, reported that during eastbound cruise flight he noticed the pilot in distress, who then became unresponsive. While providing first aid, the passenger experienced several instances when the airplane was out of control. He regained control and maneuvered toward city lights, then headed towards a flat open area that turned out to be runways at NEW.
Witnesses observed the airplane's lights moving erratically, then it turned, descended, and landed on a runway. After impact, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck signage and lights, crossed back over the runway, and came to rest upright in a grassy area to the right. Emergency responders arrived within two minutes. The pilot was unresponsive and later declared deceased.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 69, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. He was issued a third-class medical certificate without limitations on October 17, 2011. His logbook and flight records were unavailable; he reported 9,500 total flight hours on his most recent FAA medical application, with about 60 hours in the previous 90 days.
The passenger, aged 45, reported he did not hold a driver's license or pilot certificate and had never flown an airplane. He was a citizen of Mexico and a resident of Guadalajara, Jalisco, with a California identification card showing a residence in Wasco, California.
Aircraft Information
The six-seat, low-wing, retractable landing gear, twin-engine airplane (serial number 31-449) was manufactured in 1969. Both engines were 310-hp Lycoming TIO-540-A2B engines, each driving a Hartzell HC-EE2YR-2A full-feathering 2-blade propeller. The most recent airframe logbook entry was March 20, 2011, noting a completed annual inspection at tach time 1,480 hours and an estimated 7,007 total aircraft hours.
Meteorological Information
At 1753, the automated weather observing system at NEW reported wind from 340 degrees at 15 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 14°C, dew point 4°C, altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury. Sunset was at 1700, end of civil twilight at 1726, moon transit at 1605 with 24% illumination.
Communications and Radar
No record of communications with the accident airplane was found. FAA ATC radar showed the airplane on a wandering course approaching from the north, with several turns, climbs, and descents matching data from a handheld GPS. Air traffic controllers could not communicate by radio but alerted airport rescue and fire fighting.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination revealed first impact with a left side load about 300 feet south of the north end of runway 18L, left of centerline. The airplane exited the left edge, damaging a taxiway sign and other obstructions near taxiways K and J, then crossed back over the runway and came to rest west of runway 18L, oriented to 288 degrees. Total distance from first impact to rest was about 2,500 feet. Damage was minor, primarily to the right side, with impact indentations on the bottom left aft fuselage and damage to the right main landing gear door, wing tips, right flap, right engine cowling, and right propeller. Postaccident examination found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions precluding normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy classified the pilot's death as natural. Toxicology detected amphetamine (0.046 ug/ml in blood), diphenhydramine (0.072 ug/ml), and methamphetamine (0.345 ug/ml) in blood; urine also contained these substances. Additional testing found diphenhydramine (0.29 ug/ml), methamphetamine (0.65 ug/ml) in blood, and methamphetamine (>5 ug/ml) in urine. The pilot had significant natural disease: cardiomegaly (heart weight 420 grams), severe coronary artery disease with 90% narrowing of the circumflex coronary artery and 80% narrowing of the right coronary artery. The coroner determined cause of death as natural. Personal medical records were unavailable, but colleagues and family reported high blood pressure, a prior procedure to remove plaque from coronary arteries two years before, and possible stroke history.
Additional Information
An unmarked piece of luggage in the cabin, likely belonging to the pilot, contained a 1-week pill organizer with amlodipine 5 mg, aspirin 325 mg, lisinopril 20 mg, and yellow translucent gel caps with unknown liquid. Also found was a bottle of Kroger Brand Extra Strength Pain Relief PM (acetaminophen and diphenhydramine). A plastic baggie with an unmeasured amount of white crystals was identified by law enforcement as methamphetamine ("crystal meth") using a field test kit.