Accident Overview
On October 13, 2018, about 1845 mountain standard time, a Cessna T240 airplane, registration N433CS, was destroyed when it impacted a house in Payson, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
Radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tracked the airplane on a right downwind leg for runway 24 at approximately 580 ft above ground level (agl) and a groundspeed of 108 knots. About 0.75 mile from the approach end of the runway, the airplane initiated a right turn at about 658 ft agl, continuing through the base leg. Groundspeed decreased to 60 knots, and altitude dropped about 100 ft. After completing a 360° turn, the airplane continued on an extended downwind before entering another right turn to base leg at about 526 ft agl and 94 knots, descending to 490 ft agl at 81 knots. The last radar target was near the accident site.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Cessna T240. Maintenance logbooks were not located. The facility that performed the most recent maintenance on October 1, 2018, indicated the tachometer read 543.9 hours. Examination at the recovery facility revealed the airframe was substantially fragmented. The engine was rotated by hand, compression was obtained on all six cylinders, and valve and gear train continuity was established. Both magnetos produced spark. The fuel pump was operational, and 100LL aviation fuel was present in the throttle body and fuel manifold valve. The three-blade constant speed propeller remained attached; blades exhibited bending, chordwise scratches, and impact damage. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical anomalies was found.
Pilot Information
The pilot's medical certificate expired on July 31, 2018, but he had applied for and completed BasicMed requirements. The last logbook entry was dated October 7, 2018.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was in an urban environment 1.05 nautical miles east-northeast of Payson Airport at an elevation of 5,100 ft mean sea level. The airplane impacted a house in a vertical attitude, embedding the propeller, engine, and instrument panel into subfloors. Due to hazardous conditions, wreckage was not examined at the site. At the recovery facility, the airframe was heavily fragmented; both wings were separated, control surfaces detached, and the empennage separated from the fuselage. Partial control continuity was established.
Additional Information
Radar data indicated a groundspeed of 94 knots with a turn radius of about 700 ft as the final turn began. Referencing Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, the angle of bank was estimated at about 50°. According to the Cessna T240 Pilot Operating Handbook, with flaps retracted, the stall speed was 73 knots calibrated airspeed. Stall speed increased at bank angles of 30° (78 knots), 45° (87 knots), and 60° (103 knots). The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook notes that accelerated stalls can occur at higher airspeeds during turns or abrupt maneuvers. Toxicology tests on the pilot were negative for drugs and impairing substances. An autopsy listed the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries.