History of Flight
On December 19, 2018, at 1936 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181 airplane (N6143J) was substantially damaged when it struck trees and terrain about half a mile from the runway at Blairsville Airport (DZJ) in Blairsville, Georgia. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and a third passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to a surviving passenger seated in the front right seat, the takeoff from Blairsville Airport was normal. The flight proceeded west and completed a local tour to view Christmas lights before returning to the airport. As the airplane approached, the passenger could see the lighted runway ahead. During the approach, the pilot mentioned needing to hit "markers" on his handheld GPS. The passenger reported the pilot was relaxed, the engine ran smoothly, and there were no unusual noises. She recalled nothing unusual until she woke to rescue personnel.
A witness on her front porch saw the airplane approaching with a smoothly running engine, but noted it seemed "just too low." She then heard the airplane hit trees and the ground.
Data from a handheld Garmin GPSmap 496 recovered from the wreckage showed that the airplane began taxiing at 1847 and departed runway 8 at about 1853. The last 18 seconds of GPS data indicated that at 1936:02, the airplane was inbound to runway 8 on a heading of about 074° at 63 knots groundspeed and 2,076 ft mean sea level (msl). About 7 seconds later, the groundspeed had slowed to 49 knots and altitude had decreased to 2,032 ft msl. At 1936:13, the airplane descended to 1,986 ft msl and turned abruptly to a heading of 023°, about half a mile from the runway end. GPS recording ceased at 1936:20.
Wreckage and Impact
The initial impact point was a stand of 60- to 70-ft-tall trees at an elevation of about 1,986 ft msl, approximately half a mile from the departure end of runway 8. The right wing tip was found at the tree bases. The airplane continued through trees before coming to rest upright on a heading of about 142°, about 262 ft from the initial impact. All major components were present, and there was no post-impact fire. The fuselage, both wings, and tail section sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was established from all major surfaces to the cockpit. The flap lever was fully extended, and the flap torque tube arms and chain position were consistent with full flaps. The throttle was idle and bent left, the mixture was full lean, and carburetor heat was on.
Examination of the engine and propeller revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The propeller blades showed damage consistent with impact: one blade bent forward about 20° with chordwise scoring, the other fractured about 20 inches outboard of the hub. The engine valve train, compression, and ignition were normal. Fuel was present and free of contaminants. No evidence of mechanical failure was found.
Airport and Environmental Information
Sunset occurred at 1727, end of civil twilight at 1755. Moon was waxing gibbous at 87% illumination. Runway 8 had medium intensity runway lights but no visual approach slope indicator (VASI) or precision approach path indicator (PAPI). The airport manager noted that a PAPI system had been on the capital improvement list since 2016 but was delayed due to tree, building, and land acquisition issues.
The published inbound course for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 8 approach was 076° magnetic, with a minimum descent altitude of 2,940 ft msl. The approach plate stated that the approach was not authorized at night. The airport elevation is 1,909 ft msl.
Additional Information
A photo taken by the front seat passenger during the approach showed the runway lights on and some city lights north and east of the runway, but few lights along the final approach path. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook describes a "black-hole approach" as one made over dark terrain where runway lights are the only source, making orientation difficult and potentially leading to landing short. The handbook notes that bright runway lights with few surrounding lights can create the illusion of being lower, and recommends using flight instruments or executing a go-around if uncertain.
An autopsy of the pilot determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing detected Alfuzosin (used to treat enlarged prostate) in the pilot's blood and urine; the medication is generally not considered impairing.