20010610013649A

(.19)On June 10, 2001, approximately 1215 mountain daylight time, a mitsubishi MU-2B-20, N187AF, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain and burned while on landing approach near Cerrillos, new Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under title 14 CFR part 91. The flight originated in peoria, Illinois, approximately 0945 central daylight time. Preliminary information indicates that as the pilot approached santa fe, he was instructed to enter a holding pattern. He cancelled his IFR flight plan and shortly thereafter, was told he would be following two other airplanes for landing. This was the last radio communication with the pilot. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a spin. The burned wreckage was confined to a small area. Ground scars were consistent with a 45 degree nose down right spin. Both engines exhibited signatures consistent with power being developed. (-23) on 06/10/2001 at 1230 local time N187AF, a mitsubishi MU-2B-20 crashe d in the foothills 9.5 miles southeast of santa fe, NM (1MILE nw of Cerrillos, NM). The aircraft was piloted by Dr. J. Michael white with one passenger on board, the pilot's wife. The pilot was inbound to santa fe (saf) from Mt. Hawley auxiliary airport, 7 miles north of peoria, IL, when he elected to do a 360 degree turn for spacing into santa fe airport. The investigation revealed the aircraft struck the ground at a 45 degree nose down and right wing low attitude and right hand spin. Both engines were developing power upon impact, actual throttle settings are unknown. The entire aircraft was destroyed as a result of impact and post crash fire. Both occupants received fatal injuries. Note: hours make model and hours last 90 days are unknown. (.4) on June 10, 2001, at 1221 mountain daylight time, a mitsubishi MU-2B-20, N187AF, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in an uncontrolled descent near Cerrillos, new Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under title 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91. The flight originated in peoria, Illinois, approximately 0945 central daylight time. North point aviation, inc., records indicated that on the morning of the accident, the pilot used his personal key to unlock a fuel pump. The airplane was serviced to capacity with 190 gallons of jet-a fuel. The pilot then telephoned the kankakee, Illinois, automated flight service station (afss), obtained a standard weather briefing, and filed an IFR flight plan to santa fe. The airplane was seen to take off from the mount hawley auxiliary airport (3MY) between 0930 and 0945 central daylight time. According to a family member, the pilot and his wife were traveling to santa fe to celebrate their wedding anniversary. According to the federal aviation administration (FAA), when the pilot arrived in the santa fe area, the albuquerque air route traffic control center (ARTCC) instructed him to enter a holding pattern due to conflicting traffic. He then cancelled his IFR flight plan and was told to contact the santa fe tower. An unofficial transcript of radio communications was prepared. Approximately 1218, the pilot contacted the control tower and reported he was 4 miles from the santa fe VORTAC. Shortly thereafter, he reported he was 2 miles from the VORTAC. At 1220, the pilot said he was "just going to do a three sixty out here south of the v-o-r and turn around and come back in." This was the last significant transmission from the pilot. There were several witnesses to the accident, and the following is based on written statements, interviews and telephone conversations. Witness #1 was driving a tractor in the village of Cerrillos. He looked up and saw an airplane, north of the village, "do a couple of motions," then it "headed nose down towards the ground." He said the wings appeared to be "rocking back and forth." Being a volunteer fireman, he responded to the accident site with the fire department after calling 9-1-1 and reporting the accident. Witness #2 was walking near his home when an airplane appeared about 40 to 50 degrees above the horizon. It made an "irregular" sound, "like he was going up and down," and the airplane came down steeply in a right (clockwise) spin. He said both engines were operating, and he attributed the irregular sound he heard "to the change of the sound while it was spinning." Witness #3 was driving north and was approximately 1/2-mile south of Cerrillos when he saw an airplane "going straight down and spinning in a clockwise motion." Three other witnesses were interviewed and their observations were similar. Witness #4, a Continental airlines captain, was flying his personal airplane from aztec, new Mexico, to alpine, Wyoming. When he was 20 miles southeast of the santa fe VORTAC (very high frequency omnidirectional radio range, tactical air navigation), he noticed "a large black vertical plume of smoke." Albuquerque ARTCC requested that he proceed to the area. He circled the accident site and advised them of the burning wreckage. He said he did not hear any distress call. According to the new Mexico state police, the first 9-1-1 call was received at 1223. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight at a GPS (global positioning system) location of 35 degrees, 27'33.6" north latitude, and 106 degrees, 06'28.5" west longitude. The accident site was 9.57 miles from the santa fe airport on the 175 degree bearing.