History of Flight
On January 13, 2019, about 1100 mountain standard time, a Piper PA22-160 airplane, N9227D, was substantially damaged when it struck terrain near Hualapai, Arizona. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The airplane departed Pearce Ferry Airport (L25), Meadview, Arizona, earlier that morning. At 1001, the passenger texted her sister that they were airborne. At 1038, the passenger telephoned a relative from Kingman Airport (IGM), Kingman, Arizona, stating they either refueled or attempted to refuel and planned to depart for Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU), Glendale, Arizona. The departure time from IGM is unknown, but the sister expected arrival at GEU about 1130. When the airplane did not arrive, the sister notified the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office about 1215.
First responders reported that the pilot had crawled from the wreckage to the road and flagged down a passerby. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced an electrical failure; he attempted to turn back, but the engine lost power. The airplane then impacted the bottom of a ravine about 10 miles south-southeast of IGM. The pilot declined to provide further information to investigators.
Personnel Information
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed the pilot was issued a combined medical and student pilot certificate in January 2014. Student pilots are prohibited from carrying passengers. The pilot did not provide training or flight experience information.
The pilot reported no medical conditions on his third-class medical certificate application, but medical records revealed he had diabetes and used fast-acting insulin and an insulin pump. A family member of the passenger confirmed this. Under 14 CFR 67.313(a), diabetes requiring insulin treatment is disqualifying for a third-class medical certificate, and a person may not act as pilot-in-command while aware of a disqualifying condition.
Aircraft Information
The passenger purchased the airplane on October 30, 2018. An FAA deregistration letter dated December 31, 2018, stated the registration was suspended because it was not renewed after the transfer. The airplane was equipped with two fuel tanks, each with 18-gallon capacity, with removable caps. The caps were installed by aligning tabs with slots and rotating to lock.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest inverted at the bottom of a ravine in Hualapai Mountain Park, at an elevation of about 6,500 feet mean sea level, about 9.8 nautical miles from IGM on a true bearing of 165°. Almost all components remained attached. The right wing and empennage were severely crushed; the fuselage and left wing moderately crushed. The engine and propeller remained attached. No fuel was recovered from the airplane.
Flight control continuity was confirmed for all primary controls, though proper routing could not be verified due to impact and recovery damage. The flaps were fully retracted. The cockpit throttle was at idle, mixture full rich, primer in and locked, carburetor heat off, magneto switch set to both. The fuel selector valve was found positioned near the left tank detent. Testing revealed some impedance when moved to the as-found setting, and the valve port was about 40% occluded at that setting. The handle was difficult to move. No fuel was present in the valve or lines, and no fuel leaks were found. Neither fuel tank cap was found; a donor cap installed on both filler necks rotated smoothly and locked.
The engine had been pushed aft, deforming the firewall. The airbox and carburetor bowl separated from the carburetor due to impact. The crankshaft rotated freely, valve train operated properly, and thumb compressions were obtained. No mechanical malfunctions were observed. Both magnetos produced sparks. Borescope inspection showed no damage or foreign object ingestion. The exhaust system was unobstructed. The propeller had one straight blade and one bent aft with spanwise scrapes. Examination found no evidence of preimpact mechanical failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postaccident hospital records showed the pilot's blood glucose levels were more than twice the normal maximum, and he used an insulin pump. A blood test for ethanol was negative. A urine drug screen was negative for all screened drugs.