History of Flight
On April 15, 2021, about 1948 mountain standard time, a Cessna 140A, N2506N, was involved in an accident near Williams, Arizona. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to social media posts, the flight departed Sedona Airport (SEZ) with the destination of Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN). ADS-B data showed the airplane departed SEZ northwest about 1845. About 41 minutes into the flight, the pilot made a precautionary landing at H.A. Clark Memorial Field Airport (CMR). A GoPro video captured the pilot stating that the engine tachometer had failed but there was "nothing really wrong with the way the airplane is flying." After landing, the pilot inspected the cable, found it intact, and departed.
Sound spectrum analysis of the GoPro video indicated an engine run-up about 1944:49, power applied for takeoff about 1947:16, and the airplane began flying about 30 seconds later. During the climb, the airplane drifted left of runway 36. Engine rpm was about 2,448 during initial climb. About 1948:24, the pilot initiated a right turn. About 1948:31, engine speed decreased to 2,198 rpm. The airplane remained in a right bank and the engine power remained around 2,198 rpm when it impacted terrain about 1948:43.
Personnel Information
The pilot had flown 7.4 hours in the accident airplane make and model within the 90 days before the accident. The pilot had 10.1 hours of night flying experience, but had not logged night flight time within the 90 days before the accident. His most recent night flight was on October 29, 2020.
Aircraft Information
At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 660.88 hours. Maintenance records showed a 100-hour engine inspection on March 7, 2021, and an airframe annual inspection on March 28, 2021, both completed at tachometer time 652.12 hours and Hobbs meter 315.8 hours.
Empty weight was 1,016 lbs, maximum gross weight 1,450 lbs. Combined pilot and passenger weight was 315 lbs. The airplane departed SEZ with full fuel and landed at CMR about 45 minutes later. At departure from CMR, about 90 lbs of fuel remained. Performance calculations indicated a ground run of nearly 1,400 ft and best rate of climb 378 ft per minute, normal climb 350 ft per minute at 73 mph. GoPro video showed a ground run of about 1,450 ft, and the airplane remained airborne for just over 63 seconds before impact.
Meteorological Information
At 1935, CMR reported wind from 280° at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 43°F, dew point -2°F, altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury. Pressure altitude was 6,548 ft, density altitude 7,038 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Airport elevation was 6,690 ft msl; terrain at accident site 6,625 ft msl. Wreckage was about 1,440 ft northeast of the departure end of the runway. Impact damage was more pronounced on the right side. Engine and cockpit floorboards displaced upward and aft. Main landing gear bent aft, rotating gear box forward about 90°. Both wings remained attached with leading edge damage extending aft to the spar. Cabin sustained occupiable space encroachment.
Flight control continuity was established. Rudder, elevator, and pitch trim cables intact. Flap cable attached but handle position indeterminate. Elevator trim position indeterminate due to damage, but control cable chain intact. Engine tachometer drive cable was separated inside housing at locking sleeve; about one inch remained attached. Tachometer drive rotated freely. Shaft showed rotational overload. No additional evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction precluding normal operation.