History of Flight
On August 27, 2013, approximately 1120 central daylight time, a Cessna 421C Riley Turbine Rocket twin-engine airplane, registration N229H, impacted wooded terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 9 at Edgar County Airport (PRG) in Paris, Illinois. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed and a post-impact fire ensued. The airplane was registered to Venezia Marine, Inc., of Terre Haute, Indiana, and operated by RSB Aviation, Inc., of Paris, Illinois, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Terre Haute International Airport - Hulman Field (HUF), Indiana.
According to RSB Aviation personnel, before the flight the pilot fueled the airplane with 178 gallons of fuel, which would have topped off the tanks. The pilot intended to depart PRG, pick up an individual at HUF, and then continue to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Witnesses inside a building on the airport observed part of the airplane's takeoff roll from runway 9. They stated the airplane seemed very slow compared to other takeoff rolls they had observed with that airplane. Due to corn and other obstacles blocking their view and concern about the slow takeoff roll, the witnesses exited the building and went to the edge of the runway to see if the pilot stopped the airplane or turned around. They did not observe the airplane; shortly thereafter, they noticed a smoke plume about 1 mile east of the airport.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 33, held an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane multiengine land rating, a commercial certificate with airplane single-engine land and single-engine sea ratings, and a flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot's most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was dated August 13, 2012, with no limitations. According to an insurance application dated December 4, 2012, the pilot reported at least 8,600 total flight hours, 4,700 hours in multiengine airplanes, and 2,000 hours in Cessna 421C Riley Turbine Rocket powered airplanes.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was manufactured in 1976 by Cessna as model 421C, serial number 421C0088, and was a high-performance, twin-engine, low-wing, piston-powered airplane originally. It was modified with two 675 shaft horsepower Lycoming LTP101-600A-1A turboprop engines per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4293WE, installed on January 28, 1982. The minimum controllable airspeed per the STC is 97 knots with the inoperative engine propeller feathered.
According to RSB Aviation personnel, during the weeks before the accident, the left engine had been experiencing a delay or lag in obtaining 100% power after engine start-up. A company pilot reported that the left engine sometimes would "hang" at 70% gas generator, and cycling the throttle or fuel pump would allow acceleration to normal operation. The condition was intermittent and had not been corrected before the accident flight. The airplane was flown on several flights with the known issue.
Meteorological Information
At 1155, the PRG automated weather observation system, located about 0.5 miles west of the accident site, reported wind from 260 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 30°C, dew point 24°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was located about 1/2 mile from the departure end of runway 9. The wreckage was distributed on a heading of 090 degrees for approximately 300 feet. The airplane impacted numerous trees before coming to rest at the base of a large tree. A post-impact fire and two post-impact explosions occurred. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, right wing, a portion of the left wing, both engines, and portions of the empennage. The fuselage, including the cockpit and cabin, was destroyed by fire and thermal damage. Flight control cables showed overload failures. Landing gear and flap positions could not be determined.
Visual examination of the departure end of runway 9 showed that the airplane's main landing gear exited the runway surface, traveled through grass, soybeans, and corn stalks before tree impacts. Damage to vegetation was greater on the right side than the left.
Engine and Propeller Examinations
Both engines were disassembled under NTSB supervision. Disassembly and examination did not reveal evidence of preimpact malfunctions. The left engine fuel manifold was found to have clogged nozzles; after replacement with new nozzles and O-rings, the manifold passed functional tests. The left engine fuel pump and fuel control showed extensive thermal damage but no preimpact malfunction. The propellers showed extensive thermal damage; neither propeller was in the feather or reverse position at impact.
Weight and Balance Performance
The airplane's current weight and balance documents were not located. Based on the flight manual, calculated gross weight for the accident takeoff was about 7,522 pounds, below the maximum takeoff weight of 7,579 pounds. According to the AFM, at the ambient temperature of about 85°F, twin-engine climb performance at sea level is about 1,900 feet per minute, and single-engine climb with propeller feathered is about 390 feet per minute. Total distance over a 50-foot obstacle with both engines at takeoff power is approximately 2,600 feet.
Additional Information
Family members and friends expressed concerns about possible sabotage or criminal activity. The investigation did not reveal any evidence of sabotage or criminal activity before the accident.