History of Flight
On November 1, 2013, at 1742 central daylight time, a Beech C90, registration N269JG, impacted terrain 3.25 miles southeast of Springdale Municipal Airport (ASG) in Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The flight originated from Pine Bluff (PBF), Arkansas, about 1650, destined for Bentonville (VBT), Arkansas, but was diverting to Springdale.
The pilot contacted Little Rock approach control at 1651 and requested flight following. Radar contact was established at 10,000 feet climbing to 16,500 feet. At 1721, the pilot reported descending from 16,500 feet. At 1727, he contacted Fort Smith (FSM) approach, passing 11,800 feet for 6,500 feet. At 1740, he changed destination from VBT to Fayetteville (FYV), citing low fuel. The controller advised that ASG was 4 miles away. The pilot reported ASG in sight and familiar with the airport. He contacted ASG tower, reported low fuel, and was cleared to land on runway 36. About 30 seconds later, he advised he was not going to make the airport. No further transmissions were received. At 1743, ASG advised FSM that the airplane was down.
Witnesses reported the engine(s) sputtering, loud but abnormal engine noise, one wing turning perpendicular to the ground, and the airplane pulling up abruptly before falling from about 300 feet in a right wing-low, nose-low attitude. Some witnesses stated the pilot was trying to find a clear landing spot and control was lost at times; the airplane tilted right and left until about 300 feet when it went straight down.
Personnel Information
The 72-year-old private pilot held airplane single and multi-engine land and instrument ratings dated March 8, 2010, and a third class medical certificate dated June 4, 2013, with a restriction for corrective lenses. He estimated total flight time of 3,367 hours, with 53 hours in the last six months. His logbook was never located.
Aircraft Information
N269JG, serial number LJ-949, was a 1981 Beech C90 equipped with two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-35 turboprop engines (upgraded from PT6A-21) and Hartzell 4-blade propellers. Maintenance records showed Airframe and Engine Phase 3 and 4 inspections on March 15, 2013, at a Hobbs meter time of 826.2 hours (airframe total 11,395.9 hours). On October 9, 2013, the pilot flew to PBF for altimeter, static system, and transponder checks. Several avionics components were removed and repaired; they were reinstalled and tested satisfactory on November 1, 2013.
Meteorological Information
The ASG AWOS at 1748 recorded wind 310 degrees at 7 knots gusting 14, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 6,500 feet, temperature 16°C, dew point 5°C, altimeter 29.90 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was in a large open pasture, aligned on a magnetic heading of 030 degrees. Power lines 35-40 feet high crossed 311 feet south of impact. No ground scars before impact; only gouges consistent with a right wing-low, nose-low attitude. The nose and cockpit crushed inward. Ground imprints the length of wings with red and green lens fragments at ends. Right wing destroyed; left wing partially separated. Leading edges crushed. Minimal fuel (about one quart) in each nacelle tank; no fuel spillage or smell. Both engines and nacelles partially separated; propellers attached, buried in earth, with no evidence of rotation. Control continuity established; elevator and rudder trim neutral, aileron trim slight left wing down. Landing gear and flaps retracted. Propellers not feathered with little or no rotational signatures. Cockpit seats separated from floor attachments; seatbelts and shoulder harnesses fastened.
Cockpit power, condition, and fuel shutoff levers full forward. Airspeed indicator witness mark at 78 knots; power-off stall speed (flaps retracted) between 78 and 89 knots.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Arkansas State Medical Examiners report listed the pilot's cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. FAA toxicology detected verapamil and norverapamil; no carbon monoxide or ethanol.
Tests and Research
The annunciator panel and fuel totalizer were examined. The fuel totalizer showed FUEL USED: 260 gallons, FUEL REMAINING: 123 gallons. Annunciator lights illuminated at impact included LEFT GENERATOR OUT, LEFT IGNITION ON, LOW FUEL PRESSURE (LEFT), FUEL CROSSFEED, INVERTER OUT, LOW FUEL PRESSURE (RIGHT), RIGHT GENERATOR OUT, RIGHT IGNITION ON. The fuel management panel was damaged; boost pumps ON, fuel transfer switches OFF, crossfeed AUTO, fuel system circuit breakers OPEN. Fuel gauges showed a yellow arc indicating minimum fuel (0-265 pounds per tank).
FlightAware data showed activity from July 26 to September 28, 2013. The pilot topped off fuel in early October for a flight to Cozumel, Mexico, and returned via New Orleans; fuel purchases unknown. On October 9, the pilot requested 25 gallons per wing at Camden; no receipt. He then flew to PBF (65 nm; estimated fuel 30 gallons). At PBF, he did not purchase fuel. The distance to VBT is 172 nm; estimated fuel 70 gallons at 17,000 feet.