20011212036839A

(.19) On December 12, 2001, approximately 2231 central standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N127CA, operating as swiftwing 200, struck power lines and impacted terrain south of runway 35 at Duncan/haliburton field (duc, latitude 34 degrees 28.25 minutes north; longitude 97 degrees 57.59 minutes west), Duncan, Oklahoma, during an instrument landing system localizer ( ILS LOC) approach. The airplane was operated by safewing aviation company, inc., of Kansas city, Missouri, and was registered to delta sales company of davenport, Iowa. The positioning flight, which was operating under 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91, departed wiley post airport (pwa), Oklahoma city, Oklahoma, about 2130 with a destination of Duncan. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot of swiftwing 200 requested and received radar vectors from the fort sill approach controller. At 2227 the flight was 2-3 miles south of the initial approach fix (gyroe) and was cleared for the localizer 35 approach. Approximately 2229,swiftwing 200 was identified at gyroe. Approximately 2231, the controller noted static on his radio frequency and a power fluctuation at the approach facility. Subsequently, radio contact could not be established with swiftwing 200. The approach facility personnel contacted the fixed base operator at the airport, who reported that the airplane had not landed at the airport. Search and rescue was initiated by fort sill and airport personnel. The airplane was located approximately 1/2 nautical mile (NM) short of runway 35 in an open field. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the airplane resting on a measured magnetic heading of 270 degrees at latitude 34 degrees 27.44 minutes north; longitude 97 degrees 57.65 minutes west (GPS accuracy plus or minus 16 feet) approximately 140 feet from power line poles. Power line cables were found tangled about the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer. The wings were found bent, and the fuselage crushed upward. The propeller blades were bend aft on the left engine, and one blade was bent aft and one blade was bent forward on the right engine. The two navigation radios were found set on 111.5 megahertz (mhz) and between 111.5 and .1 mhz, respectively. The two communication radios were set on 120.55 mhz and 122.8 mhz, respectively. The global positioning system (GPS) was found in the "on" position. The altimeter reading was 1,100 feet. Approximately 2 cases of oil, a 2 gallon sprayer, and a tow bar were found in the nose baggage compartment. Approach charts were found in the cockpit. Airport and company personnel reported that the airplane flew two round trip cargo flights Monday through Friday of each week. Three pilots rotated the flights. The pilot of swiftwing 200 flew both round trip cargo flights on the day of the accident. The first route trip of the day consisted of four segments: duc to law, law to okc, okc to tul, and tul to duc. The second route trip of the day consisted of four segments: duc to okc, okc to tul, tul to okc, and okc to duc. During the second route trip, on the day of the accident, swiftwing 200 diverted to pwa due to weather at okc during the tul to okc route segment. During an interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, another company pilot, reported that he was located at the approach end of runway 35, in his vehicle, when the pilot of swiftwing 200 reported reaching gyroe. He also stated that he observed power fluctuations with the airport lights at 1032, according to the vehicle clock. When swiftwing 200 did not land, he attempted to called fort sill approach, via his hand held radio, to inquire about the whereabouts of swiftwing 200. Personnel of the power company reported the height of the power lines was 38 feet 6 inches above the ground (AGL) at the point of impact. Further, the power company recorded a power fault at 22:31:11 on the night of the accident. At 2213, the automated weather observation system (AWOS) at duc recorded calm wind, 1/4 statue mile visibility, fog, ceiling overcast at 100 feet, temperature 5 degrees centigrade (c.) (41 degrees fahrenheit), dew point 5 degrees c., and the altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury. At 2233, the AWOS at duc recorded calm wind, 1/4 statute mile visibility, fog, overcast ceiling at 100 feet, temperature 5 degrees c., dew point 5 degrees c., and the altimeter 29.99 inches of mercury. Airport personnel and local authorities reported areas of dense patchy fog in the vicinity of the airport. (-23) on 12/12/2001 at approximately 2230 hours, while flying the localizer approach to Duncan Halliburton airport runway 35. The pilot of N127CA, PA-23-250, s/n 27-7305125 struck a set of power pole cables south of the runway at 45 to 50 feet AGL. The cables sheared off the main landing gear, and also tore into the left side of the stabalator. The aircraft was arrested by the cables and brought to the ground. After contacting the ground the aircraft slid about 110 feet on its belly. The aircraft compass indicated a final heading of 270 degrees after traveling a distance of 276 feet from its initial contact with the cables. One main gear strut and wheel assembly were caught in the cable just aft of the aircraft, and one strut and wheel assembly were found 100 feet forward of the aircraft. The pilot received a broken ankle, collapsed lung, face and head lacerations.