20101222055989A

On December 22, 2010, at approximately 2145 local time, FAA inspector privacy data omitted arrived at the scene of an accident involving a Mooney M20 aircraft bearing registration N968SM. The aircraft impacted terrain in a wooded area just off a logging trail, with a debris path approximately 150 to 200 ft in length. Both wings were separated from the aircraft. The fuselage was destroyed but primarily intact and still connected to the empennage. The fuselage came to rest approximately 110 degrees clockwise rotation from the angle of the debris path. There was evidence of some fire along the debris path where the wings came to rest, however, there was no evidence of fire damage to the fuselage section. The integrity of the fuel tanks was compromised and there was no evidence of fuel or smell of fuel at the scene. The engine came to rest against a mature black walnut tree between the location of the wings and the fuselage. The propeller was still connected to the engine. The engine and propeller were rotated 180 degrees from the direction of the debris path. There was significant damage to the engine and accessories although most of the components were still attached to the engine itself. The propeller was significantly damaged exhibiting "s" curve bending away from the propeller hub, leading edge scoring and cord wise striations. The body of the pilot (sole occupant) had been removed by the medical examiner just prior to this inspector arriving on scene. According to first responders the pilot had been found next to the cockpit still in the aircraft seat. This inspector was unable to determine if the safety belt or harness was still intact. A substantial number of charts and papers were discovered in the cockpit area, along with a kneeboard and laptop case. These items were collected and taken to the rochester FAA flight standards district office and provided to the FAA iic. An examination of the base of the com antenna located on the top of the fuselage yielded evidence of in-flight ice accumulation. Additionally, ice was discovered on the in-board two-thirds of the upper surface of the left horizontal stabilizer, aft of the leading edge. Although both the areas of icing were slightly contaminated with dirt, the appearance and consistency of the ice resembled the "mixed" type.a panel was removed from the left empennage in an attempt to gain access to the emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The switch on the unit was in the "armed" position, and the light was illuminated. However, to disarm and remove the unit from the aircraft it was necessary to penetrate the empennage using a crash axe. The unit was then disarmed, removed and taken to the rochester FSDO and turned over to the FAA iic. The ELT was an ameri-king corp model AK-450 transmitting on 121.5 / 243.0 mhz.