Accident Details
On July 25, 2024, at approximately 1225 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, registration N990PT, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Trenton, Maine. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane had departed Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) in Morristown, New Jersey, at 1016, with an intended destination of Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Witness Observations
A witness who was working on runway lighting at BHB reported hearing the airplane approach for landing. He noted that the engine noise increased to full power. Looking up, he observed the airplane in a sharp left turn before it descended to ground impact. He described the weather conditions as "brutal," stating that he could barely see the airplane at 100 yards due to thick fog.
Additionally, video recorded from a moving car captured the airplane emerging from heavy fog approximately 40 feet above the approach end of runway 22 in a steep, descending left turn, followed by ground impact.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather at BHB at 1156 included visibility of 1.5 statute miles in light rain and mist, with an overcast ceiling at 300 feet above ground level.
Wreckage and Engine Examination
The wreckage was located approximately 600 feet to the left side of the approach end of runway 22, coming to rest in a wooded area on a magnetic heading of 040°. A postimpact fire largely consumed the airframe. All major components of the airplane were accounted for within a compact area.
The engine sustained thermal damage. The fuel pump was removed; its shaft was intact but stiff to rotate due to thermal damage. The fuel flow divider was intact, but its diaphragm was destroyed by fire. The fuel injectors were thermally damaged, with injectors Nos. 1 and 5 containing obstructions. The magnetos were thermally damaged and produced no spark when rotated by hand. The top spark plugs were clean and clear of debris. The crankshaft rotated smoothly, and compression was noted on all cylinders except No. 3, which was impact damaged with rocker arm covers crushed into the push rods.
A remote data module and multi-function display were recovered from the wreckage and retained for further examination.