History of Flight
On March 18, 2012, about 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N158EA, collided with trees during takeoff from Feutz Airport (M088), a private airstrip near Mexico, Missouri. The airplane was operated by Stuart Flying Service, LLC, under Part 91 as a personal flight. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot had departed Mexico Memorial Airport about 1115, after informing the airport manager that he intended to perform maneuvers. A witness, the son of the airstrip owner, observed the airplane land on runway 26 and taxi to the end of the runway. The pilot and his wife, the passenger, exited the airplane and visited with the witness for about 20 minutes. The witness last saw the airplane facing south at the end of runway 08, apparently conducting an engine run-up. Around 1250, the witness discovered the wreckage off the end of the runway and called 911.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 61, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His last FAA third-class medical was issued on May 21, 2010, without limitations. According to his logbook, he had accrued 152 total flight hours, of which 45 were in the Piper PA-28-161.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a Piper PA-28-161, a low-wing, single-engine, four-seat airplane equipped with a Lycoming O-320-D3G engine and a fixed-pitch, two-bladed propeller. The last annual inspection was conducted on February 6, 2012, at a total aircraft time of 13,788.0 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued 13,827.7 total hours, with 0.5 hours since the flight's departure. Postaccident weight and balance calculations showed the airplane was under gross weight and within center-of-gravity limits.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Columbia Regional Airport, about 20 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1154 reported wind from 190 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, temperature 25°C, dewpoint 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inHg. The peak wind was 28 knots at 1128. The density altitude was calculated as 2,421 feet.
Airport Information
Feutz Airport is a private grass airstrip with a 2,600-foot-long, 100-foot-wide runway oriented 08/26 at an elevation of 890 feet. The runway surface was soft, with grass 6 to 10 inches high. A cluster of 20- to 50-foot-tall trees was located along the far left side of the approach end of runway 26. Landing gear depression marks indicated the airplane ground roll on takeoff from runway 08 was approximately 1,900 feet before lift-off, with about 686 feet remaining to the trees.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest on a heading of 063 degrees magnetic at an elevation of 878 feet, about 294 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane struck trees before coming to rest on its left side, with both wings separated at the wing root. The flap handle was in the fully retracted position, and flight control continuity was established for the rudder and stabilator. The throttle was full open, the mixture full rich, and the fuel selector was set to the left wing tank. No mechanical deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot died from multiple blunt force injuries. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may have contributed to his death. Toxicology testing detected acetaminophen in the urine and diphenhydramine in urine and blood.