What happened
On June 25, 2012, a Socata TB21, registration N2528N, crashed shortly after departing Gold Hill Airport (NC25) in North Carolina. The flight was intended to be an instrument flight rules (IFR) trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as part of a larger journey to Germany.
At approximately 04:21 EDT, the aircraft impacted trees about 1/2 mile north of the airport. A witness observed the airplane trailing white and gray smoke that transitioned to an orange color, suggesting an in-flight fire, before the aircraft veered right and struck the trees. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with fog and visibility of only 1/2 mile. The pilot had obtained an IFR clearance with a void time of 04:10.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's condition and recent modifications. Investigators found that the pilot had performed several unauthorized maintenance tasks and modifications in the weeks preceding the crash. Specifically, a non-aviation-approved plastic tank, described as similar to an herbicide tank used for lawnmowers, had been installed in the rear seat to serve as an auxiliary fuel tank. This system utilized fuel lines that were smaller than the manufacturer's recommendations and was vented directly into the cabin.
Evidence of other non-approved modifications was found in the wreckage path, including a non-approved fuel line and valve, as well as an aluminum can that had been safety-wired to the outlet of the air-oil separator.
Regarding the engine, a mechanic noted that the engine was past its recommended time between overhaul (TBO). Recent maintenance at another facility had addressed an excessive exhaust leak at the turbocharger and misaligned exhaust components. Additionally, during an oxygen system service three days prior to the accident, mechanics observed water leaking from the oxygen line.
While the autopsy revealed the pilot had coronary artery disease, investigators determined that the aircraft was likely under control prior to the impact, as the witness reports of the in-flight fire and the aircraft's flight path suggested the pilot was not incapacitated.