History of Flight
On July 6, 2017, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a Morrissey 2150A, registration N917JL, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees and terrain while conducting a forced landing after takeoff from Cherry Ridge Airport (N30) in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
A witness, who was both a pilot and a mechanic, observed the airplane perform takeoffs and at least one landing before the accident flight but did not witness the accident. On the first takeoff, the airplane sounded normal and returned for landing. After touchdown, the airplane continued for a touch-and-go landing, but the engine fumbled and faltered drastically for 3 or 4 seconds before the pilot aborted the takeoff, taxied back to the beginning of the runway, and took off again.
On the following takeoff, the airplane reached traffic pattern altitude or close to it on the downwind leg when the witness heard the engine miss and heard further power interruptions before his attention was diverted. He was unaware of any additional takeoffs or landings involving the accident airplane.
Airport surveillance videos captured the airplane on its takeoff roll from runway 18, followed by an initial climb and a left turn in the vicinity of the crosswind leg. The airplane was then seen in a shallow descent and shallow bank angle as it descended from view behind trees. The video was a compilation from multiple cameras, and the resolution diminished as the airplane's distance increased.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land and a mechanic certificate with ratings for airframe and powerplant. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on June 27, 2014. He reported 480 total hours of flight experience on that date.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the two-seat, tandem-configured, low-wing airplane was manufactured in 1961 and powered by a Lycoming O-320, 150-horsepower engine. The tachometer displayed 2,858.48 aircraft hours at the accident site. A review of maintenance records revealed that the most recent annual inspection was completed by the previous owner on July 12, 2012, at 2,825 tachometer hours.
The gross weight and horsepower rating required the pilot to possess a third-class medical certificate for operation. The airplane was purchased by the pilot/owner in May 2016. He took delivery in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, and flew the airplane to N30; however, there was no record of an application for the required special flight permit.
Meteorological Information
At 1653, weather recorded at Pocono Mountain Municipal Airport (MPO), Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, 24 miles south of N30, included few clouds at 1,900 ft, wind from 170° at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 21°C, dew point 17°C, and altimeter setting 30.09 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was examined at the accident site, about 800 ft southeast of the departure end of runway 18. The wreckage path was about 450 ft long, oriented on a 351° magnetic heading, ending in densely wooded terrain. Initial impact points were in treetops about 50 ft above ground. The cockpit and engine compartment were suspended against a tree about 8 ft above ground, with the tail section on the ground. The forward cockpit and instrument panel were destroyed.
The pitch trim actuator handle was not installed; a pair of locking pliers were in its place. The lap belt and shoulder harnesses were not buckled, with harnesses stowed behind the seat and lap belts to either side of the seat pan. Mold growth, dirt, and corrosion on the belts, buckle, and male tabs were undisturbed, showing no movement of the buckle, finger smudges, or metal-to-metal contact.
The left wing was separated at its root but largely intact; the right wing was attached but outboard of the main fuel tank was separated. Both left wing and right outboard wing remained adjacent to the main wreckage, and their fuel tanks were intact. Control continuity was established from the cockpit to control surfaces through multiple breaks consistent with impact and overload separations.
Fuel system continuity was confirmed. The left main tank was empty, the right main tank contained 3 ounces of fuel, and the remainder of the system had only trace amounts. Both fuel selectors were in the "On" position. No odor of fuel or evidence of spillage was found.
The engine remained attached to its mounts; the crankshaft was fractured at the propeller flange. External examination revealed heavy corrosion on most visible surfaces and a bird's nest between the No. 2 and 4 cylinders. The propeller and crankshaft flange were separated from the engine and found about 30 ft beyond the main wreckage. One propeller blade was undamaged and buried in the ground; the above-ground blade was bent aft mid-span with mud and wood smudges.
The engine was examined by hand rotation through the vacuum pump drive; continuity was established through the accessory section to the powertrain and valvetrain. Thumb compression was confirmed. The magnetos produced spark at all leads when actuated by a power drill. The engine-driven fuel pump, electric fuel pump, and vacuum pump each produced suction and compression at the inlet and outlet ports. The carburetor was disassembled; copper floats were intact, moved freely, with no hydraulic deformation. The carburetor and fuel pumps contained trace amounts of fuel.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination determined the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. Toxicological testing identified 0.972 ug/ml of butalbital, 0.0191 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and 0.047 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in cavity blood. These substances, along with oxymetazoline and acetaminophen, were also identified in urine.
Butalbital is a barbiturate commonly prescribed in combination with acetaminophen and caffeine (marketed as Fioricet) for headaches. The drug carries a warning that it may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery. Blood levels of butalbital thought to cause psychoactive effects are between 1.0 and 10.0 ug/ml.
THC is a psychoactive drug with effects at levels as low as 0.001 ug/ml. It can cause mood alterations, including euphoria and relaxation, and affects motor behavior, perception, cognition, memory, learning, endocrine function, food intake, and body temperature regulation. Specific performance effects include decreased concentration and attention, impaired hand-eye coordination (dose-related), and distortions in time and distance perception, among others.
Oxymetazoline is a nasal spray for congestion and is not considered impairing. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter analgesic (e.g., Tylenol) and is not considered impairing.