History of Flight
On May 15, 2020, at about 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N (registration N1JA) was substantially damaged during an accident near Burlington, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot had earlier departed West Bend Municipal Airport (EBT) for Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU) to review configuration issues between his electronic tablet and the panel-mounted avionics, and to receive instruction on recently installed GPS and ADS-B equipment. After completing the work, he fueled the airplane for the return flight. Shortly after departure from BUU, he returned due to a malfunctioning horizontal situation indicator. Examination with a mechanic revealed a failed alternator belt. The mechanic replaced it with a spare belt supplied by the pilot, tightening and safety-wiring the alternator bolts and installing the cowling. No other engine issues were noted.
After a normal engine run-up, the pilot departed again. Shortly after takeoff from runway 29, the mechanic observed that the pilot did not retract the landing gear and the airplane entered a shallow right turn without climbing normally. The pilot radioed that he was returning. The mechanic saw the airplane on final approach at low altitude and low airspeed, stating it "clearly stalled", contacted trees, and disappeared from view. The mechanic later discovered he missed a cellular call from the pilot about three minutes before the accident.
Radar and ADS-B data showed that after departure at about 1808, the airplane entered a right traffic pattern to return. During the last 20 seconds of final approach, ground speed fluctuated between 74 and 78 knots, and altitude was lost. Data ended about half a mile short of the runway at an altitude of about 875 feet msl (airport elevation 780 feet msl) and ground speed of 78 knots.
Aircraft and Wreckage Information
The airplane was owned by the pilot since its manufacture in 1978. The wreckage came to rest upright in wooded terrain about one-quarter mile short of runway 29. Multiple tree impacts were noted along the descent path, consistent with damage to the leading edges of both wings and horizontal stabilizers.
The left wing was partially separated near the wing root and outboard of the flap. The right wing was partially attached inboard, with the outboard section, including aileron, separated. The flap jackscrew was extended about 1.5 inches, corresponding to about 20° flaps. The empennage was attached with tree impact damage. Landing gear were extended, with bent struts.
Flight control continuity was established except for the right aileron due to impact separation; the aileron cable exhibited broomstraw features consistent with overload. The pilot's seat frame was broken and separated near the seat rails; locking pins were engaged. The cabin floor was bent upward.
The throttle lever was near idle and bent down; mixture and propeller controls were near full forward. The fuel selector was on the right tank. The landing gear selector was down, and the manual gear extension lever was partially extended and bent. The alternator circuit breaker was tripped.
The engine mount was partially attached, engine bent down but secured. Alternator wires were separated due to engine displacement. Propeller blades remained attached, twisted and bent aft. Mechanical continuity was noted; magnetos produced spark, and thumb compression was present on all cylinders. The turbocharger was undamaged. The replaced alternator belt was displaced from pulleys and found near the engine bottom; this condition would affect the electrical system but not engine power.
The 24-volt battery tested at 23.76 volts DC with 21% capacity.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's last FAA medical examination was on August 16, 2019. He had failed to provide supporting medical records for a hospital admission for viral pericarditis, so the FAA had withdrawn his second-class medical certificate, which expired on August 31, 2019.
Toxicology testing detected fentanyl, midazolam, etomidate, lidocaine, and torsemide in cardiac blood and liver tissue; these are commonly used for resuscitation and surgery (the pilot survived several hours after the accident). Warfarin, hydroxybupropion, and naproxen were also detected. Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots and is not impairing, but requires FAA observation. Hydroxybupropion (metabolite of bupropion, used for depression or smoking cessation) carries a warning that it may impair mental or physical ability required for hazardous tasks.