History of Flight
On August 26, 2014, about 1830 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sikes Loehle 5151 Mustang, registration N73144, was destroyed during collision with terrain and a post-crash fire following an uncontrolled descent during initial climb. The accident occurred about 0.13 miles east of the approach end of runway 34 at Chehalis-Centralia Airport (CLS), Chehalis, Washington. The pilot, who was the registered owner and sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was originating at the time and operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
A witness, a professional pilot, reported observing the accident airplane taxi onto a grassy area south of the approach end of runway 34 and commence its takeoff roll. During the roll, the airplane bounced several times due to uneven terrain and became airborne only after reaching the runway surface. The witness noted an unstable climb with rocking on both lateral and pitch axes, followed by a right 180-degree turn at about 500 feet above ground level. The airplane then entered a right-wing-low, steep nose-down attitude before impacting terrain less than 1,000 feet east of the initial takeoff point. The airport manager stated that takeoffs from the grassy area used were not authorized.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident airplane, a 2007 Thomas C Sikes Loehle 5151 Mustang, serial number 5151-150968705, was a low-wing, conventional fixed-gear, single-passenger amateur-built aircraft made primarily of wood construction. It was powered by a 64-horsepower Rotax 582 DCDI engine (serial number 4317429) and equipped with a 4-bladed Warp Drive Carbon Fiber propeller. The most recent inspection was performed on August 3, 2014, at a total engine time of 8.0 hours. The airworthiness certificate was dated December 6, 2007.
The 66-year-old pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. On his most recent application for an airman medical examination (June 16, 2011), he reported 4,500 total flight hours with none in the preceding six months. The Airman Medical Examiner noted disorganization, poor short-term memory, and suspected organic brain syndrome or Alzheimer's, and deferred issuance of a medical certificate. The FAA medical certification division subsequently denied the pilot's medical certificate.
According to the seller who transferred the airplane to the pilot on August 8, 2014, the pilot commented that flying is like riding a bike and that he received his license in a tail dragger. The seller advised a refresher with an instructor, but the pilot responded that the Mustang was an ultralight. The seller corrected this, stating it was an experimental aircraft requiring at least a light sport rating. The pilot replied that his private pilot license sufficed.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane came to rest inside a fenced yard of a local auto body repair business between two pickup trucks, about 800 feet northeast of where the takeoff roll began. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and fire, so severely that first responders could not initially identify it as an airplane. Thermal damage to the wooden airframe and engine precluded detailed examination. Pieces of the airplane impacted the south side of the auto body repair facility's south structure, about 80 feet north of the main wreckage. Additional remnants were found about 125 feet east and about 75 feet southeast of the main wreckage. The largest identifiable piece was the right main landing gear, located about 20 feet south of the main wreckage.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on August 28, 2014, at the Lewis County Coroner's Office determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries to the head, with arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease as contributing factors. Forensic toxicology by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory detected no ethanol in urine, no carbon monoxide in blood, and no cyanide test performed. Drugs detected included 7-amino-clonazepam, amlodipine, atorvastatin, quetiapine, salicylate, and terazosin.
The pilot's FAA medical records indicated a history of high blood pressure treated with amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and lisinopril, and chronic hepatitis C. A psychiatric note from April 8, 2014, documented a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treated with quetiapine and clonazepam, and a history of bipolar disorder with symptoms including mood swings and psychosis. The note described a normal mood, no hallucinations, delusions, or obsessions, and no thoughts of homicide or suicide.