History of Flight
On March 3, 2011, about 0840 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Skeeter 1M airplane, N1111V, impacted terrain while on approach to runway 35L at the Clarence E Page Municipal Airport (RCE), near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a VFR flight plan. The flight originated from the Cole Landing Area Airport, near Newcastle, Oklahoma, about 0800.
According to statements given to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the accident airplane and another airplane were flying together. The accident airplane diverted to RCE due to an issue with a loose canopy. The pilot reported on an airplane-to-airplane frequency that he wanted to land at RCE to tighten the canopy. The accident airplane was on final when another airplane was also on final approach and was about to perform a touch-and-go on the runway. The accident airplane was observed in about 45 degrees of bank in order to swerve out of the way of the airplane on final approach for the touch-and-go. The accident airplane was observed to be about 400 feet above the ground when it banked. It subsequently descended and impacted terrain. The pilot from the airplane performing the touch-and-go stated that he did not hear any radio transmissions on the common traffic advisory frequency from any airplane in or near the traffic pattern.
Personnel Information
The 92-year-old pilot held an FAA commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His last FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 12, 2002. On the application for that medical certificate, the pilot reported that he had accumulated 2,500 hours of total flight time and 20 hours of flight time in the six months prior. He also indicated that he was taking Casodex, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen used to treat prostate cancer.
Aircraft Information
N1111V was an experimental amateur-built Skeeter 1M, a low-wing, tailwheel, single-engine airplane with serial number 1M. According to FAA airworthiness records, it was powered by a 125-horsepower Lycoming O-290-G engine driving a Sensenich propeller. The pilot reported an empty weight of 818 pounds and a maximum weight of 1,480 pounds. The airplane had a fuel capacity of 27 gallons. The two-place airplane featured side-by-side seating and dual flight controls. It had a reported maximum speed of 195 mph.
Meteorological Information
At 0815, the recorded weather at RCE was: wind 330 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 1 degree C; dew point -5 degrees C; altimeter 30.16 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
RCE was a non-towered, city-owned airport with a field elevation of 1,354 feet above mean sea level (msl). It is located about 15 miles west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Runway 35R is a 3,502-foot-long by 75-foot-wide concrete runway. Runway 35L is a 6,014-foot-long by 100-foot-wide concrete runway.
Wreckage and Impact Information
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage on scene. The airplane’s point of impact was approximately 179 feet from the approach end of runway 35L, and the final resting position was 154 feet from the approach end of Runway 35L. The airplane came to rest with a heading of approximately 200 degrees. A three-foot gouge was found in the terrain approximately 180 feet from the edge of the runway, consistent with a propeller blade; the direction of the gouge indicated the airplane was on a heading of approximately 300 degrees. The left wing was bent aft and up and was partially separated from the fuselage. Flight control surfaces were all intact and attached to the aircraft and wings. The right and left ailerons were connected to their cockpit controls. The flaps were in a stowed position. The empennage’s flight controls were intact and connected to their control cables. No pre-impact anomalies with the engine or propeller were detected.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by Oklahoma’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force trauma. The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report, which was negative for the tests performed.