History of Flight
On August 24, 2012, at approximately 1445, a Piper PA-24-250, registration N7774P, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain northwest of Milner, Colorado. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport (KGWS), Glenwood Springs, Colorado, at 1359. According to the Routt County Sheriff's Office, a sheepherder found the wreckage around 1000 on August 25, 2012. The airplane was not in contact with air traffic control. According to a family member, the airplane was en route to Minnesota. No Alert Notification for a missing airplane was filed.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 36, held a student pilot certificate issued on March 21, 2011, and a third-class medical certificate issued the same day, without limitations. At the time of application, the pilot reported zero flight hours. No personal logbook or instructor endorsements were found.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane, a Piper PA-24-250 (serial number 24-2990), was manufactured in 1962. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540-A1-D5 engine rated at 250 horsepower and equipped with a metal, 3-blade, McCauley propeller. The aircraft had a standard airworthiness certificate for normal operations and was maintained under an annual inspection program. The last annual inspection was completed on March 1, 2012, at an airframe total time of 7,303 hours. The airplane had flown 67 hours since that inspection, for a total time of 7,370 hours. The airplane was not equipped with a supplemental oxygen system or a portable oxygen bottle.
Meteorological Information
The closest official weather observation station was Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (KSBS), located 8 nautical miles east of the accident site. At 1453, the routine aviation weather report (METAR) reported wind 040 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,100 feet, broken clouds at 12,000 feet, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 4 degrees Celsius, altimeter 30.08 inches.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest upright on a heading of 010 degrees at an elevation of 7,070 feet msl, in a valley surrounded by trees and bushes. The main wreckage included the engine, propeller, fuselage, empennage, and both wings. One ground scar about 8 inches deep was forward of the engine. The engine remained attached to the fuselage; the upper two engine mounts were bent and broken. The propeller blades exhibited varying damage: one blade was unremarkable, one had leading edge polishing, and one was bent aft 45 to 55 degrees. The spinner was crushed aft. The left wing’s leading edge was crushed up and aft, fuel tanks crushed and torn open with no fuel present. The right wing showed similar damage. The fuselage was buckled on the left side. The empennage was wrinkled. Both ailerons and flaps were impact damaged. The fuel selector valve was in the right auxiliary position. The cabin contained personal effects including food, six beer bottles, marijuana, and an auger and chain saw. The lap belts were not latched; no shoulder harnesses were installed.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted on August 27, 2012, listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests by Horizon Lab, LLC, detected amphetamine and cannabinoid in the blood, and 0.110 g/dl of ethanol. The autopsy report stated that acute ethanol intoxication may have been a contributing factor and that based on ethanol levels in blood versus vitreous fluid, the pilot likely consumed ethanol within 1 to 2 hours of the accident. The manner of death was undetermined; suicide could not be excluded. FAA toxicology tests detected 104 mg/dL ethanol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, but no amphetamines.
Tests and Research
The wreckage was moved to Greeley, Colorado, for examination. Approximately 5 ounces of clean, blue fuel was recovered from the fuel bowl. Filter screens were clear. The flap transmission assembly was consistent with retracted flaps. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The engine was examined; magnetos produced spark, spark plugs were light-colored (lean mixture), and cylinders showed normal compression. No anomalies were found. The carburetor contained no fuel; the mixture cable was separated due to impact.