Accident Overview
On June 8, 2015, at about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca model 7GCBC airplane, registration N11698, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff from runway 30 at Kadoka Municipal Airport (5V8), Kadoka, South Dakota. The pilot, the sole employee of Semper Fi Aviation, LLC, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a 1972 Bellanca model 7GCBC, serial number 358-72. It featured a single-engine, high-wing design with two-place tandem seating and a conventional (tailwheel) landing gear. Power was provided by a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320-A2B four-cylinder reciprocating engine (serial number L-31364-27A) driving a two-bladed, fixed-pitch McCauley 1A175/GMA8040 propeller. The airplane was initially issued a normal/aerobatic category standard airworthiness certificate in May 1972. It was purchased by the operator/pilot on July 29, 2014, and agricultural spray equipment was installed in October 2014. A restricted category special airworthiness certificate for agricultural operations was issued on October 14, 2014. After the spray equipment installation, a revised weight and balance was completed. The maximum gross weight for agricultural operations was 2,325 lbs, with an empty weight of 1,374 lbs, yielding a useful load of 951 lbs.
Witness Observations
A witness observed the airplane climbing after takeoff. It was approximately the same height as the light poles at a nearby softball field as it crossed a road. The airplane appeared to be slipping slightly to the right when the right wing dropped sharply. The airplane then descended and impacted the ground initially with the right wing. It bounced before coming to rest adjacent to the outfield perimeter fence and a light pole. A postimpact fire ensued.
Weather
Weather conditions recorded at Philip Airport (PHP), about 13 miles north-northwest of the accident site, at 1555 were: wind from 230 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 29°C, dew point 13°C, altimeter 29.89 inches of mercury.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane impacted a grass field about one-eighth mile north of the departure end of runway 30. It came to rest adjacent to the outfield perimeter fence and a light support pole, which exhibited paint transfer and minor scraping consistent with a glancing impact. A ground impact mark about 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep was located about 20 feet south of the fuselage and 3 feet south of the left wing tip. Linear impressions oriented on an approximate 270-degree heading emanated southward from the impact mark, consistent with wing leading edge impact. The airplane came to rest on its nose with the fuselage and empennage oriented vertically on an approximate 240-degree bearing. A postimpact fire consumed most of the fuselage and the inboard portions of both wings and horizontal stabilizers.
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact airframe structural failure or flight control system anomaly. The engine examination also did not reveal any preimpact failure or malfunction. The elevator down stop bolt was not present at the time of the postaccident examination, but contact marks on the fuselage structure suggested it was present at impact.
Medical and Toxicology
An autopsy of the pilot conducted on June 10, 2015, attributed his death to blunt trauma injuries sustained in the accident. No significant natural disease was identified. Toxicology testing by the FAA Civil Aero Medical Institute detected Phentermine in urine and blood (0.074 ug/ml in blood). No carbon monoxide or ethanol was detected.