20020604019999A

(.19) On June 4, 2002, about 0822 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N942SP, registered to helicopters & airplanes, inc., collided with trees then the ground near Lutz, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. The airplane was destroyed by impact and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 0709 from vandenberg airport, tampa, Florida. Review of recorded radar data for beacon code 1200 radar returns revealed a target was first observed at 400 feet mean sea level (MSL) departing the vandenberg airport. The flight proceeded in a northwest then westerly direction where the flight orbited at approximately 2,100 feet, from 0714 until 0729. The orbit was centered approximately on the west side of lake magdalene. The flight then proceeded slightly west where the flight orbited between 0715 and 0810 hours at approximately 2,200 MSL, centered on the intersection of dale mabry and ehrlich roads. Two-way communication with the pilot of the airplane was attempted by tampa air traffic control tower (ATCT) with negative results. Additionally, a tampa police department helicopter was dispatched after being advised by tampa ATCT that an airplane was orbiting north of the airport and was not in contact with the facility. According to the pilot of the helicopter, he observed the airplane from 3/4 mile away and reported it was flying orbits to the left. Attempts to communicate with the pilot on frequencies 121.5, and 119.3, were negative. Additionally, tampa ATCT vectored a flight express flight to where the airplane was orbiting to obtain the registration number of the airplane. The flight express pilot reported that he observed the airplane banking to the left; and he did not attempt to communicate with the pilot. The helicopter pilot stated that his flight returned to the tampa international airport to exchange the helicopter for a Cessna that was equipped with a camera. The Cessna operated by the tampa police department departed but was advised by tampa ATCT that the airplane had descended below 1,100 feet MSL where radar contact was lost. A witness near the accident site reported hearing the airplane flying at what she thought was a low altitude then heard the engine "revving" up followed by hearing the impact. Several other witnesses across the street from the crash site reported hearing the engine sound that was steady with no sputtering. The engine sound remained the same from the time they heard it until the impact. Another witness reported that he first observed the airplane when it was approximately 30-40 feet above the tops of trees. The airplane at that time was in a 80-degree nose low attitude on a southeast heading. He observed the airplane collide with the trees then heard the impact. The pilot was involved in a helicopter accident about 11 hours before this accident. (-23) on June 4, 2002, at 8:20 local time, a Cessna 172S, N942SP, registered to helicopters & airplanes, inc crashed through the trees and impacted the ground while on a personal flight in Lutz, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a flight plan was not filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at vandenburg airport, tampa Florida at approximately 7:15 local time.