20040910035389A

(-23) At approximately 14:46 hours on 09/10/2004, aircraft N163DS, a Lancair 360 registered to the pilot, impacted the ground in a field approximately 1/2 nautical mile from the end of runway 4/22 at Orange airport in Orange, Texas. The pilot and sole occupant received fatal injuries. The aircraft impacted the ground at a magnetic heading of approximately 298 degrees. All of the aircraft debris scattered in about the same direction as the aircraft heading. The debris area was 401 feet in length and 120 feet at its widest point initial impact revealed that the right wing, main spar, engine cowling and cockpit area were destroyed at that point. The remainder of the empannage and fuselage came to rest at 300 feet from initial impact. The left wing came to rest at 318 feet from initial impact and the engine at 378 feet from initial impact. The engine appeared to have been making substantial power at impact. No anomalies were readily present through the investigation of the aircraft and its associated components. The aircraft had received 34.5 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. The fuel at the airport was tested for accurate specific gravity readings and was found to be within the required tolerance.