Accident
On February 24, 2013, at approximately 0814 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N2895U) was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Tampa North Aero Park (X39) in Lutz, Florida. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was destined for Crossville Memorial Airport (CSV) in Crossville, Tennessee. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Family members alerted authorities after the pilot failed to arrive, and a search was initiated. Using the pilot's cellular telephone signal, the general location was identified. A flight instructor and the X39 airport owner conducted an aerial search and spotted a brush fire and the accident site on February 25, 2013, about 1500. The site was located approximately 3 miles northwest of X39.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating but no instrument rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 20, 2012, with a reported total flight time of 125 hours and 0 hours in the previous 6 months; his previous medical had been issued in 1977. The pilot's logbook was not recovered.
The aircraft was a four-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle-gear airplane (serial 28R-7918207) manufactured in 1979. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360 200-horsepower engine with a Hartzell constant-speed propeller. The airplane's logbooks were not found. Repair station records showed the last annual inspection on November 9, 2012, at which time the airframe and engine had 3,048.81 total hours and the engine 613.61 hours since major overhaul. The pilot purchased the airplane on November 13, 2012.
Meteorological Conditions
There was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing. Nearby observations included: Hernando County Airport (BKV), 13 miles north, at 0853 reported wind 260° at 6 knots, visibility 9 miles in light rain, overcast ceiling 600 feet; Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), 13 miles east, at 0835 reported wind 210° at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles in mist, overcast ceiling 400 feet.
Radar and Wreckage
FAA radar data showed a track with a 1200 transponder code originating from runway 32 at X39 at 0812:12. The track proceeded northwest, climbing to 900 feet, descending to 500 feet near the accident site, then climbing to 1,200 feet. The last three targets indicated a left turn at 1,200 feet and a descent, with the final target at 0814:07 about 0.5 mile northwest of the accident site at 0 feet altitude.
The accident site was in the Cypress Creek Preserve. The initial impact point was a tree with its top separated. Wreckage debris extended from that point on a heading of about 070° magnetic for 210 yards. The main wreckage came to rest 170 yards beyond the initial impact point, and the engine was 40 yards further. A fire ensued along the entire wreckage path, burning several acres of scrub brush and a substantial portion of the aircraft, including the cockpit.
Both wings separated from the airframe; the left wing aileron and flap showed impact damage, while the right wing aileron and flap were destroyed by fire. Control cables exhibited overload separations. The horizontal stabilator separated from the vertical stabilizer, with the trim setting consistent with a slight nose-up attitude. The engine exhibited impact damage: the right case half cracked, No. 3 cylinder separated, No. 1 cylinder head separated, and the propeller crankshaft was bent. The propeller blades showed s-bending, chordwise scratching, twisting, and gouges. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical Examination
An autopsy performed on February 26, 2013, listed the cause of death as blunt trauma. Toxicological testing detected ethanol in blood cavity (30 mg/dL) and brain (28 mg/dL), but not in muscle; N-propanol was also detected. Additionally, dihydrocodeine was found in liver, kidney, and blood cavity, and hydrocodone in liver, blood cavity, and kidney. Putrefaction was noted.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular 60-4A discusses spatial disorientation, stating that during low visibility, pilots may be unable to determine attitude by natural horizon or surface references, increasing vulnerability to disorientation.