History of Flight
On April 24, 2017, at 1339 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-31-ATC airplane, registration N787TV, collided with high tension power lines and impacted terrain during final approach to land at Jesse Viertel Memorial Airport (VER) in Boonville, Missouri. The commercial rated pilot and a passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Select Airplane, LLC, and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan. The airplane had departed VER that morning for an unknown destination and was returning when the accident occurred.
The airport manager reported seeing the pilot fly in and out of the airport frequently, often flying a low final approach. On the day of the accident, he observed the airplane "lower than usual" on final approach for runway 18. As the airplane continued toward the airport, he saw it contact power lines, abruptly pitch nose-low, and descend into terrain. He immediately contacted emergency services and responded to the accident site.
Personnel Information
The pilot's logbook was not available; total flight experience and date of last flight review are unknown. On February 28, 2013, the pilot applied for a third-class medical certificate, reporting 4,840 hours total flight experience with 0 hours in the preceding 6 months. Due to reported medical conditions including blood pressure, hypothyroidism, history of migraines, and fibromyalgia, he was not issued a certificate. After failing to provide requested medical information to the FAA, a denial letter was sent in July 2013. His previous medical certificate was issued on April 29, 1996.
Aircraft Information
The airplane had been modified via supplemental type certificate with a Main Turbo System turbocharger.
Meteorological Information
At 1135, an automated weather reporting facility at VER reported wind from 160° at 13 knots gusting to 20 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 75°F, dew point 27°F, and an altimeter setting of 29.79 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination revealed damage to a single line in a set of unmarked power lines about 75 ft above ground level and about 0.5 mile north of the approach end of runway 18. Additional damage to two power lines about 15 ft above ground level and about 110 ft south of the first power line. An impact crater was found on the north shoulder of a two-lane road about 8 ft south of the second set of power lines. Numerous acrylic glass fragments were near the crater. Scuffing on the road led to the main wreckage, which came to rest inverted on the south side of the road. The main wreckage consisted of the entire airplane. A portion of wire from a power line was entangled with the lower fuselage and both wings. The landing gear was extended, and flaps were partially down. Flight control continuity was established from cockpit controls to ailerons, elevators, and rudder. The fuel selector was in the right tank detent. The flap gauge displayed "TAKE OFF" setting. The left wing exhibited damage and scuffing consistent with contact from a large gauge wire. The right wing was largely destroyed and shattered. Fuel from the left tank appeared clear with blue tint and tested negative for water; the right tank was breached, and fuel odor was present the next day. The propeller remained attached, with chord-wise scratches and leading-edge gouges; the nose cone had a strike mark consistent with a large gauge wire. Engine valve train continuity and compression were confirmed. All screens were clean. No defects were noted with turbocharger, magnetos, or engine-driven fuel pump. Fuel injection nozzles Nos. 4 and 5 were partially obstructed with an unknown substance. No engine anomalies were detected.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Boone/Callaway County Medical Examiner's Office noted significant coronary artery disease with stenosis: 60-70% left main, 40% circumflex, 60% left obtuse marginal, 90% left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. No gross evidence of previous or acute ischemia. Scarring from previous brain contusions in tips of both frontal lobes and left temporal horn. The left optic nerve was severely scarred; the neuropathologist stated the pilot was nearly blind in that eye. The pilot routinely wore an eye patch on the left eye; strabismus was significant, and the patch apparently controlled resulting vertigo. A benign arachnoid cyst was in the left anterior and middle fossae, large enough to indent brain tissue. Acute cerebral edema caused early herniation of cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum, specified as acute hypoxic/ischemic damage in hippocampus, medial left frontal cortex, medial-inferior left temporal cortex, and bilateral entorhinal cortex. The neuropathologist commented it would take "a few hours" for these findings to develop after injury began; however the pilot was found 10 minutes after the accident by first responders.
Toxicology testing identified methamphetamine (0.16 ug/ml) and its metabolite amphetamine, and cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine in blood. Cocaine (0.050 ug/ml) and benzoylecgonine in vitreous fluid. FAA testing identified clonazepam (0.011 ug/ml) and 7-aminoclonazepam (0.126 ug/ml); methamphetamine (0.22 ug/ml) and amphetamine (0.023 ug/ml); cocaine (0.033 ug/ml) with three metabolites; phenylpropanolamine; paroxetine (0.464 ug/ml); diphenhydramine (0.04 ug/ml); and quinine in blood. 7-aminoclonazepam and ibuprofen in urine. Methamphetamine, amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, paroxetine, and quinine in liver tissue. The report noted that clonazepam, paroxetine, and diphenhydramine have potential to impair mental/physical ability for hazardous tasks. Methamphetamine is a schedule II stimulant; oral medical doses typically produce 0.02-0.05 ug/ml, misuse may reach 2.0 ug/ml or higher. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant; anhydroecgonine methyl ester indicates smoking of "crack cocaine." Phenylpropanolamine is a sympathomimetic used as stimulant, decongestant, anorectic; adverse effects include dizziness, palpitations, increased heart rate, nervousness; it is also used in illegal methamphetamine production.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source material.