History of Flight
On March 29, 2015, about 1335 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N6842W, crashed shortly after takeoff from Brandywine Airport (OQN) in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The airplane was destroyed by impact and a postcrash fire, and both the flight instructor and private pilot were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The purpose of the flight was a flight review for the airplane owner, who had reportedly not flown since 2011.
Witnesses reported that two engine run-ups were performed before the accident flight. During the first run-up, when one magneto was checked, the engine sounded rough and remained at a higher rpm before power was reduced to idle. The second magneto check sounded better. The airplane then taxied onto runway 27 for a takeoff roll, which was aborted for unknown reasons. The airplane returned to the approach end of the runway for a second takeoff attempt.
A witness near the approach end stated he did not hear an engine run-up and reported hearing four "pop" sounds followed by a loud "pop" when the airplane was still on the ground about halfway down the runway. The pops ceased, and the airplane rotated about 1,070 feet down the runway. After rotation, the wings wobbled, and the engine "sputtered badly…", quit, then resumed normal operation. The sputtering lasted 3 to 4 seconds. Another witness reported that about 5 seconds after the first pop, the engine popped eight times over 1 to 2 seconds when the airplane was 10 to 100 feet above ground level and about three-quarters down the runway. As the airplane neared the end of the runway, the engine sputtered again and restarted. The flight continued over or near U.S. Route 202 at about 200 feet agl when the engine sputtered badly again. The airplane banked left, flew in a southerly direction, and while in a nose-up attitude, banked left again to a wings vertical attitude before pitching nose-down and entering an incipient spin. The airplane disappeared from view, and about 20 seconds later, black smoke was noted, which changed to white. No smoke or evidence of in-flight fire was observed prior to the accident.
Personnel Information
The flight instructor, age 67, held an airline transport pilot certificate with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings, and a flight instructor certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. He held a second-class medical certificate issued December 16, 2014, with a limitation requiring corrective lenses and glasses for near and interim vision. He reported 12,093 total flight hours. His last flight review occurred June 6, 2014, in a Beech 23.
The pilot/owner, age 64, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate issued December 22, 2014, requiring glasses for near vision. He reported 224 total flight hours. An aircraft logbook recorded his last flight as July 6, 2011. On an insurance application dated September 3, 2011, he indicated 228 hours total time, with 114 hours in make and model and 7 hours in the last 12 months.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-28-140 (serial number 28-20985) was manufactured in 1965 and powered by a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2A engine with a two-blade metal fixed-pitch Sensenich M74DM-0-58 propeller. The airplane's previous flight was about 4.5 months prior, when it was flown from Philadelphia to OQN for an annual inspection. The pilot who flew the aircraft was also the mechanic who performed the annual inspection, which was signed off on December 11, 2014, at a total time of 2,749.2 hours. The mechanic operated the engine twice after the inspection, once to full-rated rpm during a ground run-up with no discrepancies. He noted that after the second run, his typical procedure was to place the fuel selector valve in the off position, which he likely did. Documents indicated a leaking gascolator was repaired. Fueling records showed 29.4 gallons added on February 3, 2015, and the airport manager reported no fuel-related issues.
Meteorological Information
A weather observation at Chester County GO Carlson Airport (MQS), about 13 nautical miles west of the accident site, near the time of the accident, reported wind from 320 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 2°C, dewpoint -13°C, and altimeter 30.29 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane crashed in the backyard of a residence, damaging two small trees and ground debris. The wreckage was located about 1/2 nautical mile southwest of the departure end of runway 27. A postcrash fire consumed most of the airplane. Examination revealed the cockpit, cabin, and empennage were nearly completely consumed. The fuel selector was found loose in the wreckage and positioned between tank selections. The mixture was in the idle cut-off position. Flaps were retracted. The propeller showed minimal rotation at impact. No evidence of in-flight fire was found. Video footage from a nearby building showed the airplane in a wings level climb, then banking left and disappearing, followed by a nose- and left-wing-low spin descending, with impact about 23 seconds later and a fireball after ground contact. No smoke was visible in flight.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postmortem examinations of both occupants listed the cause of death as multiple injuries. Forensic toxicology was negative for carbon monoxide, volatiles, and tested drugs; cyanide testing was not performed.
Tests and Research
Examination of the gascolator drain valve showed impact damage and bent locks. The securing T-pin was found partially in the "Locked" position, but its pre-impact position could not be conclusively determined.