19960830028299A

Lost windshield due hail trying fly between cells. Pilot became unconcious. Crash landed. Sigmets in area. Storms. (-23) the following narrative describes the accident scene of aircraft N55HU, a Cessna 421B, which crashed near conchas lake, new Mexico, on 08/30/96. Significant factors include (a) the pilot attempting to fly between two thunderstorm cells and encountering hail, (b) the aircraft decompressing due to loss of the pilots windshield , and (3) the subsequent loss of consciousness by the PIC, darrell dean surface. Mr. Surface hold a private pilot's license with airplane single and multi-engine ratings, instrument airplane. Mr. Surface has approximately 3,000 hours total flight time as a pilot, and approximately 150 hours in type. Passengers on board the aircraft were robert barnett and sam schurter, both of burlington, Oklahoma. Preliminary information shows that a SIGMET 70C, for new Mexico, was in effect at the time of the flight. The SIGMET was for an area near las vegas, new Mexico (near the crash site) and contained the following information: isolated severe thunderstorms, moving from 010 degrees at 15 knots. Tops above flight l evel 450. Hail to 1 inch, wind gusts to 50 knots possible. This was issued on the 30th of August, 1996, at approximately 2355Z. Albuquerque center color radar photographs show an area of severe weather near las vegas, new Mexico, about the time of the crash. The aircraft was on a 14 CFR part 91 IFR flight plan from albuquerque, new Mexico, to alva, Oklahoma. The flight was initially filed for flight level 190, but later climbed to FL210 in an attempt to avoid weather. At approximately 0105Z, albuquerque center lost radar and radio contact with N55HU. Center shows the aircraft was at FL190 at the time radar contact was lost. The aircraft crashed on property (listed on CG-19, a world aeronautical chart), known as the bell ranch. Bell ranch is located north of conchas lake, new Mexico. Approximate coordinates for the crash site are: n 35.35.47 and w 104.11.57. Aircraft wreckage was scattered over a distance of approximately 700 feet, with the wreckage being aligned in a fairly linear manner. Initial ground scarring (coordinates N35.35.695 and w 104.11.878) and wreckage indicate the aircraft was traveling at a speed which allowed the individual prop blades to strike the grou ND at an interval of approximately 4 feet apart. The righ prop was the first major component to leave the aircraft (coordinates N35.35.624 and w 104.11.784). This prop was found approximately 700 feet from the main fuselage. The prop appeared to have departed the aircraft as a direct result of a ground strike. The aircraft initially contacted the ground, and basically "bounced" for a distance of approximately 750 feet. The main fuel tanks departed at a point of N35.35.555 abd w 104.11.721. The only flight control to depart the aircraft, at approximately midpoint, was the right aileron. At the point where the aircraft came to a stop, the fuselage broke at a point approximating the aft pressure bulkhead. The left engine was attached to the aircraft by the control cables. The left prop was still attached to the left engine and all blades were bent rearward, indicating that the aircraft was under power at the time of final impact. The right engine had torn away from the aircraft and was located directly in front of the left engine. The pilot's windshield was missing, and the right windshield was found to be severely cracked. The right windshield also had a hole, approximately a few inches in diameter, near the center attach point. The front of the glareshield, near the lower edge of the pilot's windshield, has several large tears form the hail which entered the aircraft. The leading edges of the wings were (severely) beaten back toward the spar. The vertical stabilizer, in the area of the boot, was also severely damaged due to hail. Inside the cockpit, the radar was found to have switches selected to the 40 mile range, wx setting, and zero tilt. Flaps and gear were in the up selected position. Fuel selectors were set to the appropriate tanks. The l. alt battery, and r. alt switches were in the off position with the "gang bar". All four magnetos were in the on position. The avionics master was in the on position. Transponder was set on code 2647. Radar altimeter switch was in the off position. The ELT was found in the activated position and , according to albuquerque center, was operating normally. A disparity in altimeters was noted, with the pilots altimeter being set to 29.92 inches and the copilots being set to 29.92. At the crash site the pilot's altimeter was reading approximately 3100 feet and the copilot's altimeter reading approximat ely 4,250 feet. Rescue efforts were coordinated by a passenger on the aircraft. The passenger used a cell phone to call 911, which was answered by the new Mexico state police in Tucumcari, new Mexico. N.m.s.p. called albuquerque center, who directed a C130 to the crash area. The C130 then coordinated with the n.m.s.p. to locate the crash site. Aircraft occupants were then taken to the hospital by helicopter. At the time of this report (09/10/96), the pilot is recovering at his home, the person riding as copilot is in the hospital with severe back injuries, and the passenger is recovering at his residence.