What happened
On January 15, 2012, a Piper PA-24-180, registration N7648P, crashed into Cape Cod Bay near Brewster, Massachusetts. The aircraft was being operated by a private pilot for the purpose of practicing instrument procedures as part of an instrument proficiency check, accompanied by a flight instructor.
At approximately 15:04 EST, while established in a holding pattern at the MEJEC holding fix, an air traffic controller contacted the pilot after observing altitude fluctuations of 500 feet. The pilot reported, "there’s smoke in the cabin." Approximately 24 seconds later, the pilot stated that the smoke had cleared and intended to continue the flight. This was the final transmission received before radar contact was lost. Radar data showed the aircraft began a right turn and descended from 2,200 feet to 1,300 feet MSL before the wreckage was located in the bay.
At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with light snow and winds of approximately 300 degrees at 11 knots. Weather data indicated a greater than 50 percent probability of icing conditions at 2,000 feet MSL in the vicinity.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, which showed signs of a high-energy impact with the water. The examination of the engine, including the magnetos, gears, and cylinders, did not reveal any internal binding or mechanical failures. While the engine-driven fuel pump showed significant erosion between the gaskets, no evidence of in-flight fire or electrical arcing was found on the avionics, wiring, or circuit breakers.
Postmortem toxicology analysis of the pilot's blood specimens detected the presence of diazepam, nordazepam, tramadol, and warfarin. However, because the blood samples were obtained from a body cavity, investigators noted that an assessment of impairment was unreliable due to the potential for postmortem redistribution of drugs.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions with active snowfall.
- The flight crew experienced a loss of control following a report of smoke in the cabin.
- There was no evidence of an in-flight fire or mechanical malfunction that would have prevented normal operation.