20011004026979A

(.19) On October 4, 2001, at 1305 central daylight time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N6212S, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering at a Private airstrip near Sargent, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The non-instrument rated Private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the baycity municipal airport, baycity, Texas. One witness, who observed the airplane from a building adjacent to the airstrip, approximately one week before the accident occurred, witnessed the pilot start the engine of the accident airplane; however, it sounded as if the engine was "cutting out." The witness stated that the pilot left the airstrip in his car and then returned approximately one hour later. The pilot started the airplane's engine, and at first it continued to "cut out," but then "smoothed out." According to the owner of the 2,700-foot grass airstrip, the airplane had been parked for approximately one week prior to the accident,and was stuck in the mud due to rain. The airstrip owner reported that, on the day of the accident he assisted the pilot by helping him pull the airplane from the mud. He stated that the mud covered approximately 1/2 of the wheel fairings. The airstrip owner stated that, just before the accident airplane departed it was raining "heavily" and he had told the pilot not to fly because "the wind and rain was too bad." He witnessed the pilot get into the airplane, taxi to the north end of the airstrip and takeoff; he did not observe the pilot perform a pre-takeoff engine run-up. The owner then returned to his house. Sixty-seconds had passed when he heard the engine stop running. Two witnesses, who were driving along FM457, reported that the airplane was traveling on a northerly heading, approximately 50-100 feet AGL. The airplane entered a "sharp" left turn to a southerly heading and, subsequently, impacted an open field. One witness stated that "the aircraft appeared to stall." The witnesses added that the accident occurred during a thunderstorm. The airplane came to rest in an open field, near the north end of the runway. According to a GPS receiver, the accident site was at north 028DEGREES 48.927 minutes latitude and west 095 degrees 38.952 minutes longitude. The airplane remained intact and came to rest with the cabin inverted and resting on the empennage and tail. The airplane came to rest on a measured magnetic heading of 235 degrees. The energy path was approximately 20 feet in length and oriented on a measured magnetic heading of 295 degrees. The fuel caps were removed from each wing fuel tank and a sample of fuel was observed from each tank. Each sample had a straw like color and smelled similar to auto gas. Flight control continuity was established between the control surfaces and the cockpit control for the aileron, elevator, elevator trim and rudder systems. Initial examination of the engine confirmed crank shaft continuity to the accessory drive gear; however, a compression check revealed compression ratios that did not meet manufacturer's specifications on all of the 4 cylinders. An additional examination of the engine is pending. (-23) at approximately 13:30 hours on 04 October, 2001, Cessna N6212S departed to the south from a Private 2700' grass landing strip. The aircraft was piloted by Mr. Charles glasse. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft turned to a northerly direction. Eyewitnesses stated that the aircraft never reached an altitude in excess of 50' to 100' AGL. The aircraft appeared to stall and plummet to the ground hitting in a left wing nose down attitude. The pilot received fatal injuries. Post examination of the aircraft determined that all flight control cables showed continuity to the respective flight controls. The powerplant was removed from the aircraft and sent to the manufacturer for inspection. The permanent aircraft records did not show compliance with the requirement of an annual inspection since 1997. The pilot did not possess a current or valid medical certificate. (.4) the pilot had indicated to family members that he was repositioning the airplane from a grass airstrip where the airplane had been stuck in mud to a paved airport. The pilot indicated that he was aware of rain in the area and would be trying to move the airplane before the rain began. The owner of the grass airstrip stated that just before the airplane departed, it was raining "heavily," and he had told the pilot not to fly due to the wind a ND and rain. The owner of the airstrip then witnessed the pilot get into the airplane, taxi to the north end of the airstrip, and takeoff toward the south. One witness, who was in a building adjacent to the airstrip, observed the airplane takeoff. He stated that he "could not believe that the airplane was taking off in the driving rain." Two witnesses reported that the airplane entered a "sharp" left turn and, subsequently, impacted an open field. One witness stated that "the aircraft appeared to stall," and that the accident occurred during a thunderstorm. Radar summary images revealed that a level 3/4 thunderstorm, and possibly a level 5 thunderstorm, were in the vicinity the airstrip at the time of the accident. Review of medical records revealed that the pilot did not possess a current medical certificate. On the pilot's last aviation medical examination, dated 09/20/2001, he was noted to have a history of diabetes (with fasting blood sugars between 100 and 132) on oral medications, high blood pressure controlled on medication, and diverticulitis treated with clindex (clidinium/chlordiazepoxide). Postaccident toxicological testing confirmed the medical findings. Examinations ofthe airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would preclude operation prior to the accident.