20000422040619A

(.19)On April 22, 2000, about 1241 eastern daylight time, a Beech N35, N1253Z, was destroyed during an in-flight breakup, and subsequent collision with terrain near Conicville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the caro municipal airport, caro, Michigan, destined for the newport news/williamsburg international airport, newport news, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91. According to a federal aviation administration inspector (FAA), the airplane was in cruise flight at 9,000 feet, when the pilot radioed the air traffic controller that he had an electrical failure. The pilot then radioed the controller again and stated that he had experienced a gyro failure. The controller then observed the airplane enter into a high rate of decent on the radar screen. A witness, who was located about 15 feet from where the main wreckage impacted the ground stated that he heard an "engine popping noise that became progressively slower." The witness then looked to the sky and noticed an airpla NE that had "pieces falling from it." The witness then heard at least two loud bangs and decided to run, as the airplane was heading to the ground toward him. A second witness, who was standing on a deck at his home, located abut 3/4 of a mile from the accident site, stated that he noticed a plane doing "air tricks," and making sputtering noises. The witness "focused" on the airplane and watched it break into pieces. The witness also recalled hearing three loud booms coming from the direction where airplane was. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight. The wreckage was located 38 degrees, 49.201 minutes north latitude, 78 degrees 43.579 minutes wast longitude, and at an elevation of 1,423 feet. The main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage engine and propeller, came to rest on private property, inverted on top of a power transformer. The power transformer was set in place on top of a concert pad located on the ground. The forward section of the fuselage was oriented on a magnetic heading of about 220 degrees. A section of the left wing flap drive guide was approximately 500 feet northeast of the main wreckage. The control yoke and column was found approx imately 600 feet to the northwest of the main wreckage. Approximately 400 feet to the southwest of the main wreckage was the left wing inboard section. Approximately 550 feet to south of the main wreckage was the right wing. Section of the left-hand elevator were found approximately 2,500 feet and 4,100 feet southwest of the main wreckage. The left and right hand horizontal stabilator and the right had elevator were not located. The wrekcage was examined at the accident site. The fuseage was in one complete section, and crushed along its vertical axis. The nose landing gear was in the retracted position. The gear selector handle was in the retract position and the selector valves indicated that the nose and landing gear were in separated at their respective forward attach points. About 18 inches of the left aft spar and 5 inches of the right aft spar ramained attached to the fuselage. All fractures displayed 45-degree shear planes. The left side of the carry-through spar was not deformed. Examination of the elevator control suface stops did not reveal evidence of damage. The inboard section of the right wing displayed damage consistent with impact, and was severely def ormed. The leading edge of this section also exhibited damage consistent with impact. The right main landing gear remained attached to the wing, and was extended. The wing fuel tank was compromised. Examination of the engine revealed that al four engine-mounting brackets were broken. The oil sump and about 5 quarts of oil were observed ont he ground under the engine. Whent eh wreckage was turned 180 degrees, about 2 additional quarts of oil drained from the engine. A film of oil was observed onthe bottom skin of the fuselage. The film extended fromthe exhaust pipes onto the engine cowl covers then rearward along the remaining length of the fuselage. When the engine's crankshaft was rotated, compression was obtained on all six cylinders, the accessory gear drive section rotated, and valve train continuity was confirmed. All spark plugs were removed, except for the number 1 cylinder bottom spark plug. The removed spark plugs electrodes were intact, bent, and light gray in color. The left and right magnetos were destroyed. The left and right mufflers were broken from the exhaust systems, and did not reveal any abnormal wear. The fuel manifold valve was damaged, and when removed from the engine, an odor of fuel was noted. The throttle body was broken from its mounts. The butterfly valve was in the full open position. The linkages from the throttle and mixture controls in the cockpit were broken from the throttle body. The fuel selector valve was found in the right tank position. The fuel selector valve sump contained abut 1 cup of fuel similar in color and odor to aviation gasoline. The propeller, which remained attached to the engine, was not damaged and was in the low pitch position. Damage to the propeller spinner cap was limited to the upper half. The alternator belt was found loose about the alternator housing and the pully wheel attached to the engine accessory drive case. The alternator was removed from the engine and retained for further examination. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent FAA third class medical was dated July 28, 1998. The weather reported at an airport 35 miles to the south of the accident site, at 1244 was, winds from 340 degrees at 11 knots, gusts to 17 knots, 10 statute miles of visibility, scattered clouds at 4,400 feet, broken clouds at 8,000 and 10,000 feet. (-23) on April 22, 2000, about 1235 EST Beech N35, N1253Z was destroyed during an inflight breakup and subsequent collision with terrain near Conicville, Virginia. Pilot reported to ATC that he had lost all vacuum guages. Pilot was flying IFR.