History of Flight
On December 31, 2021, about 1330 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, registration N6796N, was destroyed in an accident near Marana, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot's family reported that he departed Marana Regional Airport (AVQ) with an intended destination of French Valley Airport (F70) in Murrieta/Temecula, California. After the pilot failed to arrive and was 5 hours overdue, Flight Service was notified. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Alert Notice. The wreckage was located by a search and rescue (SAR) air unit on the morning of January 4, 2022. No witnesses to the accident sequence are known.
Flight track data provided by SAR began about 2½ miles northwest of AVQ at 1929:38. The data showed the airplane on a northwest heading with only general headings and no altitudes. About 1943:43, the airplane made a left turn and continued on a southwest heading. At 1952:40, it started a series of turns until radar contact was lost at 2004:52. An animation with a weather overlay showed the airplane entering an area of weather, then entering several turns before contact was lost.
Personnel Information
The pilot had accumulated about 540 total hours of flight experience, of which 4.5 hours were in simulated instrument conditions.
Meteorological Information
At 1335 mountain standard time, the automated weather observation station at AVQ reported wind from 080° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, ceiling broken at 3,800 ft agl, overcast at 9,000 ft agl, temperature 19°C, dew point 10°C, altimeter 29.54 inHg.
At Ak-Chin Regional Airport (A39), about 19 miles north-northeast of the accident location, the AWOS reported at 1355: wind from 350° at 11 knots, visibility 2 statute miles, moderate rain, mist, scattered clouds at 600 ft agl, ceiling broken at 2,300 ft agl, overcast at 2,900 ft agl, temperature 12°C, dew point 12°C, altimeter 29.63 inHg.
The area forecast discussion indicated marginal VFR and localized IFR weather, with a slight chance of thunderstorms, rain, and gusty wind. An AIRMET SIERRA advisory for IFR conditions, mountain obscuration, moderate turbulence between FL180 and FL390, and moderate icing between the freezing level and FL200 was active for the accident location at the accident time. A HRRR model sounding near the accident site at 1300 identified cloudy conditions from about 3,700 to 11,200 ft msl.
No air traffic control services were provided during the accident flight. It is unknown if the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane impacted open desert terrain about 56 miles northwest of Marana Regional Airport at an elevation of 2,162 ft msl. The debris path was about 960 ft in length, oriented on a heading of about 308°. All major structural components were observed throughout the debris path. Flight control continuity was not established due to impact damage and multiple separations of control cables. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing by the FAA’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected 1150 ng/g of methamphetamine in liver and 113 ng/g in muscle. Additionally, 150 ng/g of amphetamine (the primary metabolite) was found in liver, and amphetamine was also identified in muscle.
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance available by prescription for certain conditions but also commonly used as a street drug. Symptoms of street use can include euphoria, excitation, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, increased heart rate, and other effects. Title 14 CFR Section 91.17(a) prohibits acting as a crewmember while using any drug that affects faculties contrary to safety.
Additional Information
The National Library of Medicine describes spatial disorientation as when the pilot fails to sense correctly the position, motion, or attitude of the aircraft or themselves relative to Earth. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute defines it as a loss of proper bearings or mental confusion. Factors contributing to spatial disorientation include changes in acceleration, flight in IFR conditions, frequent transitions between VFR and IFR, and unperceived changes in aircraft attitude. The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook notes that the vestibular sense can confuse pilots, especially when the ground or horizon is obscured, and can lead to false sensations and spatial disorientation.