Accident Overview
On May 15, 2019, at approximately 1339 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc. A1-B airplane, registration N236AM, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain near Santa Ynez, California. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
According to a ranch owner, the pilot had landed at the ranch that morning. As they walked from the airplane to the club house, the wind began increasing, prompting the pilot to decide to return home. About halfway back to the airplane (approximately 100 yards), the pilot sat on a bench and mentioned he was “kind of tired today.” After a few minutes, they continued to the airplane. The ranch owner observed the pilot board, taxi, and take off, destined for Santa Ynez Airport (IZA), about 23 miles east of the ranch.
Later that evening, about 2000, concerned friends and family notified local law enforcement that the pilot had not returned. The Federal Aviation Administration subsequently issued an alert notice. The following morning, a law enforcement air unit located the wreckage on steep, rising mountainous terrain approximately 8.8 miles northeast of IZA.
Radar Data
Recorded radar data indicated a target consistent with the accident airplane about 6 miles west of the ranch, at 4,675 ft mean sea level (msl), on a west-northwesterly heading. The airplane maintained a similar heading for about 6 minutes, varying between 4,375 and 4,775 ft msl, then turned right to a northwesterly heading. Approximately 20 seconds later, the airplane began descending, continuing northwesterly for about 2 minutes until radar contact was lost. The last recorded position was about 0.2 mile south of the accident site at 2,725 ft msl.
Meteorological Conditions
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-17 visible imagery at 1331, 1336, and 1341 showed an extensive cloud layer spanning east-to-west along the coast, obscuring Santa Barbara and the departure ranch area, extending immediately south of IZA, with a broken layer of low stratiform-type clouds obscuring the accident site and lower terrain west of it.
A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) valid from 1100 to 1400 forecast wind from 210° at 8 knots, visibility 6 miles or more, ceiling broken at 800 ft agl, and overcast at 1,500 ft. From 1400 to 2000, the forecast was wind from 240° at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles or more, scattered clouds at 2,500 ft agl, and overcast at 8,000 ft agl. The TAF was amended at 1102 to a scattered layer at 800 ft agl and overcast at 1,500 ft agl. At the time of the accident, AIRMET Sierra was valid for mountain obscuration near the accident site.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site examination revealed that the airplane impacted mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 2,700 ft msl on an approximate magnetic heading of 284°. The main wreckage came to rest upright about 30 ft below the initial impact point and was mostly consumed by fire. All major structural components were present.
The wreckage exhibited severe thermal fire damage. All fabric covering was burned or melted away except on the outboard left horizontal stabilizer. The right wing remained attached, but the left wing separated. Both wings were severely fire damaged and bent. The cockpit instrumentation separated; one gyro exhibited rotational scoring. Flight control continuity was established to all primary surfaces; cables were separated in multiple places consistent with tension overload or recovery cutting. The engine separated but remained attached to the mount; the crankshaft could not be rotated. Borescopic examination revealed heavy corrosion throughout the crankcase and cylinders, but no evidence of preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner performed an autopsy; the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries. The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected 267 ng/mL zolpidem in the liver, 64 ng/mL in muscle, and atorvastatin in the liver. Zolpidem is a prescription central nervous system depressant used for insomnia, typically warning of drowsiness, prolonged reaction time, dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, reduced alertness, and next-day psychomotor impairment. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol medication not considered impairing. The pilot’s wife reported he was taking blood pressure medication and suffered from insomnia.