20010615011219A

(-23)The pilot and another aircraft departed a local airport at approximately 0530 for the purpose of conducting fish locating in the gulf. At approximately 0720 the other pilot tried to contact the pilot of N4734R and was unable. The pilot of N4734R had crashed into a house destroying the aircraft and causing heavy property damage. The crash occurred in a heavyly populated area within the city limits of Waveland, MS. The pilot substained fatal injuries. No one on the ground was injuried. (.19) on June 15, 2001, about 0730 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N4734R, registered to omega protein, inc., collided with trees then a house near Waveland, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91, fish-spotting flight. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. There were no injuries to an occupant in the house. The flight originated about 0540, from shade tree airstrip, near gulfport, Mississippi. The pilot was employed by omega protein, inc., to spot fish and relay that information to fishing boats. The accident pilot and another company pil ot departed in separate airplanes, one after the other from shade tree airstrip for a planned 4-hour fish- spotting flight. Additionally, a third company pilot departed in another airplane from st. elmo, Alabama (2R5), about 0545, for the same purpose. The pilot that departed about the same time as the accident pilot reported that air-to-air communications were established with him and the accident pilot after takeoff when the flights were clear of the airport area. The flights of the three company airplanes continued and about 0720, someone asked the accident pilot his location; he responded that he was east of a location called cat island, and he wanted to make a motion to stop fish spotting for the duration of the shift. The pilot who had departed with the accident pilot reported that the accident pilot's voice during this transmission was "weak" sounding. Both other company pilots reported that it was discussed to return due to not being able to see fish. The pilot who departed from st. elmo returned to his departure airport, and the pilot who had departed with the accident pilot initially elected to attempt to spot fish for a boat that was heading south of the fleet of boats being spotted by him and the accident pilot. He then returned to near the fleet and attempted to establish radio communications with the accident pilot; this was unsuccessful. A pilot-rated witness who was located approximately 4-5 blocks east of the crash site reported seeing an airplane flying no more than 400 feet above ground level airplane heading north or northwest bound. He estimated the airplane was flying at 80 miles per hour with the engine operating at a decreased RPM; the engine sound was steady with no sputtering. He reported that after flying over land, the airplane entered a 10-15 degree left bank which continued until he lost sight of the airplane. He then heard a sound he associated with the accident. Preliminary examination of the accident site area revealed damage to trees; the farthest of which was located approximately 237 feet from the impact point on the roof of the house. Major structure of the left wing were located in two trees approximately 72 feet and 98 feet laterally respectively, from the first tree impact location. Examination of the house revealed an impact signature on the upslope of the back side of the roof associated with the right wing. The fu selage was resting on its left side in the house; the right wing was separated from the airplane and was located approximately 57 feet forward of the airplane; browning of grass was noted adjacent to the separated right wing.(.4) the pilot was employed by omega protein, inc., to spot fish while flying and relay that information to fishing boats. The accident pilot and another company pilot departed about the same time in separate airplanes from the same airport for the purpose of fish spotting. Another company pilot departed from another airport about the same time for the same purpose. About 1 hour 40 minutes after the accident flight departed, an unknown company pilot asked the accident pilot his location; he responded that he was east of a location called cat island, and he wanted to make a motion to stop fish spotting for the duration of the shift. The pilot who had departed with the accident pilot reported that the accident pilot's voice during this transmission was "weak" sounding. Both other company pilots reported that it was discussed to return due to the inability to see fish. The pilot who departed from the separate airport returned to his departure airport. The pilot who had departed with the accident pilot initially elected to attempt to spot fish for a boat that was heading south of the fleet of boats being spotted by him and the accident pilot. He then returned to near the fleet and attempted to establish radio communications with the accident pilot; but was unsuccessful. A pilot-rated witness who was located approximately 4-5 blocks east of the crash site reported seeing an airplane flying no more than 400 feet above ground level airplane heading north or northwest bound. He estimated the airplane was flying at 80 miles per hour with the engine operating at a decreased RPM; the engine sound was steady with no sputtering. He reported that after flying over land, the airplane entered a 10-15 degree left bank which continued until he lost sight of the airplane. He then heard a sound he associated with the accident. The airplane impacted trees followed by the roof of a house. Post accident examination of the flight controls and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The autopsy report indicated, "fresh posteroseptal myocardial infarction; stenotic coronary atherosclerosis." Toxicological analysis indicates hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, and glucose were detected in urine. The pilot was last issued a second class medical certificate on January 12, 2001, with the limitation, "holder shall wear corrective lenses while exercising the privileges of his airman certificate."