History of Flight
On June 15, 2013, about 1828 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, registration N8815P, impacted trees and terrain during a go-around from runway 22 at Major Gilbert Field Airport (4R5), near La Pointe, Wisconsin. A post-impact ground fire occurred. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by 8815 Papa LLC under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed, and no VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from John F Kennedy Memorial Airport (ASX), near Ashland, Wisconsin, at an unknown time.
According to FAA information, the airplane departed from La Crosse Municipal Airport (LSE) at 1102 on June 15, 2013. An airport visitor's log at ASX showed that the pilot signed in on June 15 at an unknown time, indicating a recreational flight with two occupants but no listed destination. Airport fueling records showed no fuel services were provided to N8815P.
A witness at 4R5 reported hearing an engine, then squealing sounds like screeching tires. He observed the airplane bouncing out of control on the runway, then going to full throttle and pitching up to about 45 degrees while climbing. The witness saw the airplane fly to the right and heard an explosion, followed by a plume of black smoke. He called 911.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on May 29, 2012, with a corrective lens limitation. He reported 1,500 total flight hours at that medical application and 50 hours in the prior six months. He was taking Rosuvastatin, Ramipril, and Aspirin. Logbook entries showed endorsements for complex airplanes (April 1, 2001) and high-performance airplanes (July 17, 1999). His last flight review was August 29, 2011. A relative reported the pilot had about 689 hours in PA-24-260 airplanes.
The pilot-rated passenger held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on June 6, 2006, with a corrective lens limitation for near vision. He reported 280 total flight hours and 8 hours in the prior six months at that medical application.
Aircraft Information
N8815P was a 1965-model Piper PA-24-260 Comanche, serial number 24-4270, a low-wing, single-engine, four-place monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, constructed primarily of aluminum alloy. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 six-cylinder reciprocating engine (serial L-2144-48) driving a Hartzell three-bladed constant-speed propeller, installed under supplemental type certificate SA288CH. A King KA 42B automatic direction finder (ADF) was installed on the aircraft, with a white antenna housing containing a copper sense plate, mounted on the fuselage belly. The last annual inspection was completed on July 7, 2012, at 2,922 total hours; the airplane flew about 33 hours in the prior year.
Meteorological Information
At 1753, weather at ASX (16 nautical miles at 204 degrees from the accident site) was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 2,200 feet; temperature 21°C; dew point 18°C; altimeter 29.85 inHg.
At 1833, weather at 4R5 was: temperature 62.5°F; dew point 58.0°F; altimeter 29.81 inHg; wind south-southwest at 3.0 mph; humidity 84%.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a wooded area about one-half nautical mile southwest of runway 22's threshold, breaking tree branches in a nearly vertical linear path. It came to rest inverted on a heading of about 40 degrees magnetic. The nose landing gear strut, fork, tire, and an outboard section of the right wing were found separated near the main impact site. All major components were accounted for.
On-scene examination revealed the center fuselage was melted, consumed, and deformed by ground fire. Control cables had been cut by first responders but continuity was established. Throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were found forward. The engine sump was melted. Control cables were connected to their respective controls. The flap jackscrew indicated a 10-degree flap setting; landing gear extension measurements indicated extended gear. One tire was melted; the other two had no abrasions or flat spots. Magnetics and vacuum pump were melted. The propeller hub was attached; all three blades had ground tips consistent with runway contact. Fuel quantity could not be confirmed due to fire damage.
Runway 22 exhibited slash marks consistent with propeller contact, beginning about one-tenth nautical mile from the threshold, left of centerline, migrating right. A white media transfer approximated the slash path. No landing gear tire marks were associated with the slash marks. Copper-colored metal strips, consistent with sections of the ADF antenna's copper sense plate, were found on the runway.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot by the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office on June 17, 2013, determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology samples detected Ibuprofen (urine), Rosuvastatin (urine and liver). Ibuprofen is a nonnarcotic analgesic; Rosuvastatin is a statin; the pilot also reported taking Ramipril and Aspirin.
An autopsy of the pilot-rated passenger also on June 17, 2013, determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology results were negative for tests performed.