History of Flight
On March 6, 2021, at approximately 0610 central standard time, an Aviat A-1B airplane, registered as N166WW, was destroyed during an accident near Berwyn, Nebraska. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The intended purpose was to fly from the pilot’s private runway to Holyoke, Colorado, for an annual inspection. Primary radar first detected the aircraft around 0555, approximately half a mile south of the private runway. The track proceeded generally west-southwest for about 11 miles before executing a left turn toward the south at a speed of about 88 knots. Subsequently, the aircraft made a right 360-degree turn during which its speed increased to roughly 114 knots. This was followed by a tighter 360-degree turn at 49 knots and decreasing. The track then zigzagged at an average of 30 knots until 0609, when it terminated approximately 1,000 feet from the accident site. A GPS unit was recovered from the wreckage, but extensive impact damage prevented data extraction.
Personnel Information
The pilot had been issued a private pilot certificate on May 26, 1969. He regularly flew the accident airplane over his land and pastures and was accustomed to maneuvering at low altitudes. It was not abnormal for him to take off before sunrise, especially if he needed to travel and return the same day.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, the moon was 22.97 degrees above the horizon in its third quarter phase, with an illumination of 45.1% of its full potential. No high-altitude cloud layers were present. Dawn began at 0636, and sunrise occurred at 0704.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a field perpendicular to a gully in a very rural area, resulting in a debris field approximately 300 feet long. The first identified point of impact was a long narrow area of disturbed dirt with the right wingtip nearby. Two slash marks consistent with propeller blade slices were observed, followed by a large area of disturbed dirt containing propeller blade fragments. The main wreckage came to rest at the bottom of the gully, with the engine being the last major piece of debris. The airframe came to rest in a ball and exhibited extensive thermal damage; the fabric was completely gone, leaving only the frame. Flight control continuity was mostly established throughout the airframe, but the rudder controls were untraceable within the cockpit area, which contained melted material. Both composite propeller blades were fracture separated at the blade root, and one blade was also fractured midspan. Both blades exhibited chordwise scratching on the face and chamber sides. The engine was fracture separated from the airframe and showed extensive thermal damage with no visual signs of catastrophic anomalies. The firewall was removed, and the engine was attached to a hoist for examination. Spark plugs were consistent with normal operations. The fuel flow divider was disassembled and contained fuel residue. The fuel servo remained attached, but engine controls were fracture separated consistent with impact damage. Valve covers were removed, and the valves were unremarkable. The crankshaft was rotated by the propeller hub, and continuity was established to the accessory section. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders, and valves moved accordingly. Borescope inspection of the engine revealed normal operating signatures on cylinder walls, piston heads, and valves. The right magneto produced spark, while the left magneto could not be rotated due to heavy thermal damage. The ignition harness could not be functionally tested due to impact damage.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot, with positive results for Diltiazem and Warfarin in the liver and muscle. Diltiazem is a prescription blood pressure medication that may also treat fast heart rates associated with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin is a blood thinner used to prevent blood clots in patients with previous ischemic stroke, atrial fibrillation, or other blood clot conditions. Neither drug is generally considered impairing.