History of Flight
On April 15, 2017, about 1523 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N4244V, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after departure from Williston Municipal Airport (X60), Williston, Florida. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight destined for Inverness Airport (INF), Inverness, Florida.
Earlier that day, the airplane departed from its base at Eagles Landing Airport (5GA3), Williamson, Georgia. Fueling records showed a stop at Thomaston-Upson County Airport (OPN), Thomaston, Georgia, where it was fueled at 1131. The airplane then flew to X60, where airport security video captured fueling at about 1448 and subsequent taxi and takeoff from runway 5 at intersection C.
Video from another security camera showed the airplane after takeoff climbing to about 280 ft above ground level, leveling off, then making a slight right turn followed by a sharp left turn and steep descent, rolling inverted.
Flight data from a recovered Stratus ADS-B receiver indicated the airplane's ground speed was about 47 knots just before it began to roll to the right.
Personnel Information
According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, glider, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine, airplane multi-engine, and instrument airplane. An FAA second-class medical certificate was issued March 27, 2017. At that examination, the pilot reported 2,350 total hours of flight experience. His current logbooks could not be located.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, high-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane was manufactured in 1948. It was powered by a 145-horsepower Continental C-145-2H engine and equipped with a two-blade McCauley propeller. The last annual inspection was completed June 3, 2016. At the time of the accident, the airframe and engine each had a total time of 3,657.4 hours and 46 hours since the annual inspection. The engine had 194.3 hours since major overhaul. According to the owner's manual, the power-on stall speed with no flaps was 53 mph (46 knots).
Meteorological Information
At 1519, the recorded weather at X60 was wind from 080° at 8 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 30°C, dew point 14°C, and altimeter 30.23 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located near the departure end of runway 5, about 543 ft left of the runway centerline. The airplane rested on its nose with signatures consistent with a nose-down attitude at impact. Wing leading edges were crushed aft, the engine was buried about 2 ft in the dirt, and the fuselage was accordioned aft. The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of about 050°.
The left wing fabric was torn in several places; the fuel cap separated and was found next to the airplane. Aviation 100LL fuel was noted in the left tank, which appeared full. The left aileron and flap remained attached and intact.
The right wing exhibited more severe leading-edge damage, with fabric torn in several places. The two fuel tanks contained 100LL fuel; the fuel cap had separated. The right flap and aileron were attached and intact.
The tail did not contact the ground; rudder and elevator were intact and undamaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all primary controls. Elevator trim was in neutral. The cockpit was destroyed.
The propeller remained attached, with blades bent aft. The engine and propeller were pushed into the instrument panel and upward at a 45° angle.
The engine remained attached by the right rear mount only; the other three mounts were fractured. The engine case was impact damaged with several pieces fractured and missing in front. All six cylinders remained attached with varying impact damage. Valve train continuity was established during teardown, with no pre-impact anomalies found that would prevent normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Office of the Medical Examiner, Gainesville, Florida, performed an autopsy; the pilot's cause of death was injuries sustained in the accident. Forensic toxicology testing by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, drugs, and alcohol.