Summary
On August 16, 2014, about 1410 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, registration N4125W, impacted terrain near Ardmore, Oklahoma, following a takeoff from Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport (1F0). The private pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight in visual meteorological conditions; no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
Witnesses observed the airplane depart using the south runway. The engine sounded normal, but the airplane appeared to use most of the 5,000-foot runway and had difficulty climbing away from the ground. It disappeared from sight just above the tree tops.
The airplane had reportedly flown into the airport 2-3 months earlier and was parked awaiting maintenance on engine cylinders. The evening before the accident, two men were seen working on the engine, replacing the number four and number six cylinders. Prior to departure, a five-minute engine run was performed, after which the engine cowling was installed.
The surviving passenger, interviewed on August 5, 2015, stated that about a year before the accident, four cylinders were removed for overhaul. Later, the two remaining cylinders had issues, with the middle cylinder leaking oil. At 1F0, the two cylinders were removed, overhauled, and reinstalled. An engine test run was conducted after installation and before replacing the cowling.
During the takeoff roll, about the time the airplane became airborne, a metallic pop was heard from the engine. The pilot apparently determined there was insufficient remaining runway to stop and continued the takeoff. Once airborne, fuel and oil pressures were normal. The engine continued running, but the airplane was unable to climb above a set of wires. It struck the wires and descended into trees.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land and a third-class medical certificate issued on October 29, 2012, with the restriction "must wear corrective lenses." His logbook was not located; at the time of his last medical application, he reported 804 total flight hours.
The passenger held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land and a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. His last medical certificate was issued on October 5, 1992.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-32-300, also known as the Cherokee Six, is a low-wing, fixed landing gear, single-engine airplane powered by a Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating engine. Maintenance records for the airplane were not available for review.
Meteorological Information
At 1415, the automated weather observation at Ardmore Downtown Executive reported wind from 160 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 12,000 feet, temperature 79°F, dew point 66°F, and barometric pressure 29.89 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage was located about 0.82 miles southeast of the airport. The nose landing gear had caught the top cable of a high-power transmission line. The airplane traveled approximately 95 yards while still caught on the wire before impacting terrain in an open clearing surrounded by trees. A section of power line remained around the landing gear.
A post-crash fire consumed most of the cabin area and thermally damaged the engine and wings. The aft section of the empennage had impact damage but only minor thermal damage.
Control continuity was established from the tail control surfaces to the control column; aileron continuity was also confirmed, although the left aileron did not move due to impact damage. The flap handle was in the down (flaps retracted) position. The two-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine; one blade was bent back under the engine, and the other was bent back and slightly curled near the tip starting about mid-span. The engine was removed for examination.
An examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The engine had impact and fire damage, with major thermal damage to the aft accessory section; components such as the magnetos were consumed by fire and could not be tested. The engine was rotated by hand; a thumb compression test was performed on each cylinder, and engine and valve train continuity was confirmed. The number one cylinder intake valve was found stuck open; further examination revealed what appeared to be water on the lifter, after which the valve operated normally. Lifters near the rear of the engine sustained thermal damage. The fuel screen from the fuel servo contained a small amount of unidentified contaminants. Spark plugs were black and oily with normal wear. No pre-impact abnormalities were noted.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma City determined the pilot's cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. FAA toxicology testing was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol but positive for clonidine, labetalol, oxazepam, temazepam, and valsartan. The pilot had reported valsartan on his medical certificate application; the other medications were not reported. Clonidine is typically used for high blood pressure or pain control; oxazepam for anxiety; temazepam for insomnia; and labetalol for high blood pressure or angina.