History of Flight
On April 21, 2021, at approximately 1513 Pacific standard time, a Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, registration N53331, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camas, Washington. The pilot receiving instruction suffered fatal injuries, while the flight instructor sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight.
The flight instructor, occupying the aft seat, stated that the purpose was to provide recurrent training. After departing, they flew to a nearby airport, performed several takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and returned to the departure airport. The instructor reported that the first approach to runway 25 resulted in a go-around due to confusion with power settings and fluctuations in altitude and airspeed. On the second approach, a three-point landing was performed. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left and exited the runway. The instructor noted that the pilot did not attempt to return to the runway. At about 35 mph, the pilot added full power and pitched up. The airplane climbed in ground effect to about 30 feet, then entered a stalling left turn. The bank angle increased as the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted terrain. The instructor stated he was guarding the controls but lacked time to correct.
The instructor reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Personnel Information
The pilot receiving instruction held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He had accumulated about 274 total flight hours, including 177 hours in the accident airplane between November 2014 and April 2021. He completed about 9 hours of dual instruction in the accident airplane about six months before the accident flight.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about 890 feet from the approach end of runway 25 and 95 feet south of the runway. A damaged runway light was found about 570 feet from the runway threshold. The first identified point of impact was a ground impression about 6 feet long containing red navigation light lens fragments. The debris path was oriented on a 215° magnetic heading and extended about 120 feet to the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest in a near-vertical attitude against a hangar on a heading of 141° magnetic. The fuselage and wings remained intact except for the forward fuselage, which sustained impact damage; the engine and engine mount separated from the firewall. Flight control continuity was established from both cockpit controls to all primary flight control surfaces.
Additional Information
The FAA publication H-8083-25A, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, states that an aerodynamic stall results from a rapid decrease in lift caused by airflow separation from the wing's surface due to exceeding the critical angle of attack. This can occur when the airplane flies too slowly or when higher wing loads are imposed by maneuvers such as pull-ups or banked flight.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the pilot's cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries." Toxicology testing at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found diphenhydramine at 92 ng/ml in blood, as well as acetaminophen. Both substances were also identified in urine. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine commonly used for cold and allergy symptoms and to induce sleep. Effects are expected at levels above 25 ng/ml, but post-mortem redistribution may affect accuracy. Acetaminophen is not considered impairing.