19990523021969A

On may 23, 1999, approximately 1005 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8252S, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with level terrain near Great Bend, Kansas. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR part 91. The pilot had filed a VFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated from the centennial airport, denver Colorado, approximately 0800 CDT, and was en route to the springfield-branson regional airport, springfield, Missouri. The pilot had been receiving VFR traffic advisories from air traffic control (ATC) during the flight. The pilot reported smoke in the cockpit to ATC. ATC subsequently lost radar and communication contact with the aircraft. A witness reported that, while he was driving, he saw the aircraft "diving at an angle..." The witness also stated that he thought that he "...saw smoke coming from the plane..." Prior to impact. The airplane came to rest in an alfalfa field 9.2 miles and 108 degrees magnetic from the Great Bend Municipal Airport. The engine and firewall were found near the initial ground impact and approximately 3 feet below ground level. The main wreckage was located approximately 180 feet and 220 degrees magnetic from the initial impact point. Examination of the wreckage was conducted and the control system continuity was established from the control surfaces to the cockpit. The cockpit of the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The landing gear was found to be in the up position. The flap position was undeterminable. The elevator trim indicated down trim. The nose landing gear tire, located below the engine accessories when retracted, evidenced damage by fire. The ignition harness for one of the magnetos had brownish-black deposits in the area where the wires attach to the magneto. An automated weather report for the Great Bend Municipal Airport indicated clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, and winds from 010 degrees magnetic at 10 knots. (-23) on may 23rd 1999 a Piper arrow N8252S departed the centennial airport in denver, co on a VFR flight plan to springfield, MO. Mr. Francis vatable pixley holder of pilot certificate #1303208 was pilot in command & sole occupant of the aircraft at approx 1003 local the pilot contacted air traffic control kan sas city center and reported smoke in the cockpit Kansas city center advised the pilot of two airports in the immediate vicinity hutchinson & Great Bend (KS). The pilot reported that he saw an airport behind him and that he was turning around Kansas city center lost communications and radar contact with the pilot and aircraft. The aircraft was reported to have crashed 5 miles southeast of Great Bend, KS. The pilot received fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. (.4) the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit to air traffic control while in cruise flight. Radar and radio contact was lost. The airplane impacted the terrain in a level open alfalfa field 9.2 statute miles and 108-degrees magnetic from the Great Bend Municipal Airport. A witness reported that, while he was driving, he saw the aircraft 'diving at an angle... .' The witness also stated that he thought that he '...saw smoke coming from the plane...' Prior to impact. The control system and airframe structure revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition. The aft fuselage side and bottom exhibited oil streaks in the longitudinal direction. The engine was examined and the connecting rod bearing surfaces exhibited evidence of distress and discoloration of the bearing material. The turbocharger had charred black deposits on the exterior surfaces. The turbocharger oil supply hose was chaffed through in the area adjacent to the propeller governor control cable. No clamps were found on the turbocharger oil supply hose. The turbocharger oil supply hose did not have a fire sleeve jacket. The oil supply and return lines to the oil cooler did have fire sleeve jackets, as did the fuel supply hoses.