History of Flight
On May 18, 2013, at about 1050 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Peck P-1 airplane, registration N16NM, was destroyed when it impacted the ground during takeoff from Aztec Municipal Airport (N16), Aztec, New Mexico. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane 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, and the flight was conducted without a flight plan. The accident occurred while departing.
A witness reported seeing the pilot start the engine and take off on runway 26. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane struck a berm on the right side of the runway, spun 180 degrees, and was engulfed in fire.
A person acquainted with the pilot stated that the pilot had purchased the airplane about six months before the accident. The same individual noted that the pilot had complained about fuel pooling on the cockpit floor 7 to 10 days prior to the accident.
Pilot Information
The 62-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He reported 2,500 total flight hours and 50 hours in the preceding six months on his last medical certificate application. He was issued a Class-3 medical certificate on June 29, 2012. No pilot logbooks were found during the investigation.
Meteorological Information
At 1153 mountain daylight time, the weather station at Farmington, New Mexico (FMN), located 11 miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 240 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 10,000 feet, temperature 69°F, dew point 25°F, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane struck a berm on the right side of runway 26, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest. Fire consumed most of the structure. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage and noted more fire damage on the left side of the engine but could not determine if a fuel leak existed there prior to the fire. No pre-impact anomalies were identified with the engine or flight controls.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Office of the Medical Examiner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, determined the cause of death as inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries. Forensic toxicology detected diphenhydramine in urine samples but not in blood samples.