Accident Summary
On July 2, 2021, about 0225 central daylight time, a Beech 35-33 airplane, registration N302Z, was destroyed after impacting terrain near Roff, Oklahoma. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal operation.
Flight History
According to FAA ADS-B data, the aircraft conducted two flights the previous day. The first departed Ada Regional Airport (ADH) at about 2015, climbed to 3,000 ft, and descended to Ardmore Municipal Airport (ADM) around 2035. The second flight departed ADM at about 2200, circled southwest of ADH, and returned to ADM, landing about 2253. The pilot's wife reported that her husband returned to ADM after observing a large cloud over ADH and noted that instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions existed, which he intended to avoid.
On the accident day, the aircraft departed ADM about 0211 en route to ADH. The pilot had informed his wife that visual flight rules would prevail along the route. ADS-B data showed altitude fluctuations between 1,000 and 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl), then a climb to 3,000 ft, followed by a descent to 1,400–1,500 ft (200–300 ft above ground level). Groundspeed varied between 70 and 139 knots, mostly around 87 knots. Toward the end, the aircraft turned left, climbed to about 1,600 ft at 2,000 ft/min, then descended at over 2,700 ft/min. The last ADS-B return showed the aircraft at about 280 ft AGL, track 190°, groundspeed 89 knots. The aircraft struck trees on a remote ranch about 14 nautical miles southwest of ADH.
Personnel Information
The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. According to his wife, he was an experienced night pilot and was comfortable flying in darkness.
Meteorological Information
The National Weather Service Area Forecast Discussion issued the day before predicted marginal VFR conditions with possible IFR ceilings from storms. AIRMET Sierra, valid at the accident time, warned of IFR conditions with ceilings below 1,000 ft and visibility below 3 statute miles due to precipitation and mist. Graphical forecasts indicated IFR conditions at the accident location, with visibilities between 1 and 5 statute miles and scattered thunderstorms. The pilot's wife stated he used ForeFlight for weather information, but it is unknown if he reviewed it before or during the flight. The ranch owner reported very foggy and misty conditions with low visibility at the time of the accident.
Wreckage and Impact
The debris field measured about 210 ft in length along a heading of 110°. The first identified piece was the left wingtip, followed by the left aileron, a portion of the left wing leading edge, the pitot tube on a ground scar, and the right wing separated at the root. The right wing came to rest against a tree. The main wreckage included the cabin, aft fuselage, and inboard left wing, located about 12 ft beyond the right wing. The engine separated from the firewall and mounts, coming to rest against two trees. Postaccident examination found no evidence of pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The FAA publication "Introduction to Aviation Physiology" defines spatial disorientation as a loss of proper bearings relative to the earth. Contributing factors include changes in acceleration, flight in IFR conditions, and unperceived attitude changes. The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook notes that the vestibular sense can mislead pilots when the horizon is obscured, leading to false sensations and spatial disorientation. It emphasizes relying on flight instruments rather than natural senses.