History of Flight
On July 26, 2012, at approximately 1910 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, registration N64182, operated by Interstate Aviation Inc., sustained substantial damage during final approach to runway 20 at Robertson Airport (4B8) in Plainville, Connecticut. The airplane impacted a berm just prior to and below the runway. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, with visual meteorological conditions prevailing. No flight plan was filed; the flight originated from Columbia County Airport (1B1) in Hudson, New York, at 1739.
Earlier that day, the airplane arrived at North Canaan Aviation Facilities Inc. Airport (CT24) in North Canaan, Connecticut, uneventfully at about 1430 and departed at 1630. Witnesses noted that it was common for the pilot to visit the airport and fly locally; no abnormalities were reported.
Review of FAA radar data showed primary targets departing from near 1B1 at 1739:17 and proceeding to 4B8. The targets terminated on a left downwind leg for runway 20 at 1901:24, then reappeared on another left downwind leg at 1903:47, terminating at 1905:15. No radio contact with air traffic control, flight service, or DUATS was recorded.
A flight instructor walking to his car at about 1900 observed the airplane approach. He reported one radio transmission on the CTAF regarding landing advisories. The airplane flew a mid-field crosswind, then a left downwind, base, and final leg. The witness noted the airplane was slightly high on final with flaps extended; the nose then moved right as if in a controlled slip. He left before impact.
Three drivers near 4B8 at about 1910 witnessed the accident. The first saw the airplane lower than usual, crossing a street before impacting the berm. The second saw the airplane level initially, then the nose drop; she lost sight and then saw smoke and flames. The third reported no visible engine distress before the impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 51, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued July 30, 2011. His logbook was not recovered; a renter pilot form dated June 23, 2012, reported 1,000 hours total flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle-gear Cessna 172P (serial number 17275530) was manufactured in 1982. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320 160-horsepower engine with a two-blade fixed-pitch McCauley propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 13, 2012, at 8,690 total aircraft hours and 3,784 engine hours (1,655 since major overhaul). The aircraft had flown about 9 hours since that inspection before the accident.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD), about 10 miles northeast, at 1853: wind from 200° at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast ceiling at 9,000 feet, temperature 29°C, dew point 21°C, altimeter 29.62 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest upright, with the empennage on the airport perimeter fence. An impact crater about 4 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep was found in the berm, about 20 feet below runway 20. Post-crash fire consumed the cockpit and cabin. Both wings separated from the airframe with leading edge impact damage. Ailerons were approximately neutral; the flap jackscrew indicated full flaps (30°). The horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and elevator were intact and undamaged. The elevator trim jackscrew indicated about 5° tab up (nose-down) trim.
Flight control continuity was confirmed for rudder, elevator, and ailerons. Engine remained partially attached, canted right. The propeller remained attached; one blade had S-bending and melting, the other bent aft with leading edge gouges. During engine examination, oil was present, spark plug electrodes were intact and light gray, and crankshaft rotation confirmed continuity and compression on all cylinders. Magnetos sustained fire damage and were untestable; carburetor internal components were consumed by fire.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on July 28, 2012, by the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as multiple blunt traumatic injuries and the manner as accident. Toxicological testing detected zolpidem in the pilot's liver and blood.
Additional Information
Law enforcement reported that in the two years preceding the accident, the pilot had experienced a divorce, business closure, and anticipated arrest on a warrant including a charge of first-degree sexual assault. On June 22, 2012, a family member contacted a detective expressing concern the pilot might commit suicide based on his remarks. The family member later said the pilot recanted, but on June 23, the pilot completed a checkout flight to rent airplanes. No suicide note was recovered.