19990116000449A

(.19) On January 16, 1999, approximately 2240 central standard time, a Cessna 182B single engine airplane, N8433T, was destroyed when it impacted rising terrain in the vicinity of nashoba, Oklahoma. All 4 occupants, the private pilot and 3 passengers, were fatally injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and VFR flight following was being provided to the pilot during the title 14 CFR part 91 cross country flight. The flight departed dallas love field, dallas, Texas approximately 2140, and was en route to the springdale municipal airport, springdale, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. According to family members of the pilot, the pilot had flown the 2.4 hour flight from springdale to dallas earlier in the day to attend a family function. The airplane departed dallas after dark to return back to springdale. According to FAA air traffic control (ATC) records, the pilot had requested VFR flight following from fort worth center while en route back to springdale. Preliminary review of radio communications between the pilot and ATC have not revealed that the airplane or pilot was in distress at the time of the pilot's last transmission. Preliminary review of radar tapes after the pilot's last transmission showed the airplane in a "right" descending turn, before radar contact was lost about 5 miles southwest of the accident site. The airplane wreckage was found two days later by search authorities in heavily wooded rising terrain near the crest of an 1,800 foot ridge line. The wreckage (including tree strikes and aircraft debris) extended upslope about 500 feet on a 130 degree magnetic bearing. Evidence along the energy path showed that the airplane first contacted 50-60 foot tall trees in a right turn and approximate 15 degree nose "up" pitch attitude. Propeller strikes were found along the wreckage path, including a cleanly cut 7 inch diameter live tree. (-23)the aircraft was in a right turning descent when it was lost on radar at 8100 feet MSL. The aircraft wreckage was found 35 hours later, 200 feet below the top of a 1700 foot mountain. The aircraft was demolished and there were no survivors. (.4)the non-instrument rated private pilot was receiving flight following during the dark night cross-country flight conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot's last radio transmission was a routine radio check with air traffic control. Radar data shows that approximately 23 seconds after this radio call, the airplane entered a climb. The climb continued for 3-minutes 37-seconds at an average rate of 414 feet/minute. The airplane then began to descend and turn to the right. The last radar return placed the airplane approximately 0.6 nautical miles south of the accident site descending through 8,100 feet at a rate of 2,166 feet/minute. There were no witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was located two days after the accident in heavily wooded, mountainous terrain near the crest of an 1,800 foot ridge line. The airplane was found fragmented along an up sloping path extending approximately 500 feet from the initial contact with trees. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. An autopsy and toxicology of the pilot revealed no evidence of physical impairment or incapacitation.