Accident Overview
On July 13, 2017, about 0810 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31T airplane, registration N47GW, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by T-210 Holdings, LLC, under 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The cross-country flight was en route to Midland Airpark (MDD), Midland, Texas.
The tower controller reported that, after the airplane was cleared for takeoff from runway 17, it appeared to have a shallower-than-normal climb. The controller then observed the airplane bank left before descending and impacting terrain off airport property.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane, along with type ratings for Boeing 737 and Falcon 10 airplanes. He also held a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. His FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on January 17, 2017, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. At the time of the medical exam, the pilot reported 17,590 total flight hours and 120 hours in the previous six months. The operator noted that the pilot routinely flew to MDD, also flew a business jet, and that this was his first solo flight since receiving a checkout in the accident airplane.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a Piper Cheyenne PA-31T, a low-wing, twin-engine airplane with retractable, conventional landing gear, powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT-6A turboprop engines and Hartzell full-feathering propellers. The airplane was on a progressive maintenance inspection program. Maintenance records revealed an "event one" inspection completed on March 17, 2017. The left engine's power section was disassembled due to metal in the oil and repaired under a work order on March 2, 2017, at 5,698.9 hours total time. The right engine's power section also had metal in the oil and was repaired on March 2, 2017, at 5,609.5 hours total time and 2,888.0 hours since overhaul. Before departure, the airplane was filled with 245 gallons of Jet-A fuel.
Meteorological Information
At 0753, the automated weather observation station at TYR recorded wind from 120° at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 79°F, dew point 74°F, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury.
Wreckage Examination
The on-site examination revealed the airplane impacted the bank of a small pond about 1/2 mile from the end of runway 17. There was no post-crash fire, and fuel was present. The airplane came to rest on its right side; the front of the cabin displayed heavy impact damage. Both wings separated from the fuselage; the right wing was in the pond, and the left wing was under the main wreckage. The right engine separated from the nacelle and was beside the right side of the wreckage, with the propeller attached. The left engine came to rest in front of the wreckage, and its propeller was separated at the propeller shaft.
Detailed examination found the left wing outboard 1/3 impact-separated. Aileron and outboard flap also impact-separated. Aileron control cable was continuous to the wing root; balance cable had overload separation. Flap actuator showed about 1/2 thread, consistent with retracted position. Left main landing gear was retracted. Left fuel valve open; cross-feed valve off. Right wing largely intact; aileron control cable continuous; balance cable overload separated. Right main landing gear retracted but not secured. Flap actuator retracted. Aileron trim drum inner shaft aft extension about 1/2 thread, consistent with tab position full up about 15°. Right fuel valve open. Horizontal stabilizer and elevator substantial damage; elevator trim drum 3 threads aft extension (about 3° trailing edge down, nose up). Rudder free and moving; rudder trim neutral. Engine control levers forward; landing gear lever retracted; flap lever up; both control wheel handles broken. Fuel controls ON; cross feed OFF. No airframe anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation.
Engine Examination
Left engine propeller shaft fractured; blades exhibited twisting, polishing, and bending. Exhaust duct compressional bending; left exhaust stack impact separated. Gas generator case compressional bending. After separation at the "C" flange, compressor turbine disc and blades had rotational scoring; power turbine vane and baffle had rubs; first stage compressor blades impact damage.
Right engine propeller remained attached; blades bent. Exhaust duct compressional bending; left exhaust stack bent; gas generator case compressional bending; inlet case struts fractured. After "C" flange separation, compressor turbine disc downstream face rotational scoring; power turbine vane and baffle rubbing; several blades fractured and displaced. Accessory gearbox manually rotated with mechanical continuity. Wire bundles in poor condition. Fuel control unit, fuel pump, propeller governor, and overspeed governor were tested. Fuel pump performance satisfactory; overspeed governor speed pick-up voltage below test point minimum, but no abnormalities to explain loss of engine power.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the pilot's cause of death as "blunt impact injures." Toxicological testing was positive for fexofenadine and azacyclonol. Fexofenadine is a non-sedating antihistamine used for seasonal allergies, not considered impairing. Azacyclonol is a metabolite of fexofenadine.