Accident Summary
On November 20, 2022, at approximately 1149 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, registered as N267PC, was involved in an accident near Saint Joseph, Missouri. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, he recalled communicating with ATC for his taxi clearance to runway 17 but did not recall any events after acknowledging that clearance. An ATC controller had issued taxi instructions for a visual flight rules departure and observed the airplane taxi to the run-up area near runway 17. After the run-up, the pilot was instructed to contact the tower. When no communications were received, the controller attempted to initiate contact without reply. Several further attempts were unsuccessful, and the tower controller noticed the airplane had turned around in the run-up area. Assuming the pilot was looking for a light signal, the controller issued a green light. The airplane did not move, and after more unsuccessful contact attempts, the controller observed the airplane appear to taxi back toward the general aviation ramp. However, the airplane accelerated, departed the movement area into the grass, and impacted a perimeter fence.
Investigation Findings
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
Medical Examination
Hospital records indicate the pilot was taken to the emergency room by emergency medical services following the accident. The pilot reported not remembering the events leading up to the accident and had a small forehead abrasion without acute injury findings on head/brain imaging. Additional imaging was performed to evaluate for injuries. A neurosurgery consultation noted that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain identified a brain tumor in the left posterior cranial fossa. The neurosurgeon discussed the possibility that the tumor may have been connected with symptoms the pilot described before the accident. A routine electroencephalogram (EEG) performed at the hospital did not show seizure activity but was nonspecifically abnormal, with mild diffuse slowing and mild slowing in the left occipital leads compared to the right. The pilot was discharged with instructions not to drive or fly, and with a plan for outpatient follow-up. He was diagnosed with a brain mass and injuries including closed head injury. Hospital records also documented that the pilot reported a history of headaches and sometimes used over-the-counter medication on an as-needed basis.
Toxicology
The Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing of blood and urine specimens collected during initial postaccident medical care. No alcohol or controlled substances were detected, and no substances generally considered impairing were found in the pilot's blood.