20180831006729A

On August 31, 2018 at 2145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, turbo lance ii aircraft, N500MJ, registered to and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with the waters of lake huron, Michigan following departure from runway 07, mackinac county airport (83D), Saint Ignace, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions with no visible horizon over water due to night time conditions, and light winds prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of title 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from 83D at approximately 2144L.

According to witnesses, the aircraft departed to the east, over lake huron, climbed to an altitude of 200 feet over the water, made a right hand turn, then heard the aircraft impact the water surface. Within 15 minutes local law enforcement, fire-rescue, and U.S. Coast guard personnel were on site. A small debris field was located and recovered that evening with the main wreckage being located the following day by sonar. Law enforcement divers positively identified the wreckage in 44 feet of water 1.3 miles east of the runway end and salvage operations were initiated. All components recovered were secured in a hangar at the mackinac county airport.

Upon examination, the aircraft was found in a highly fragmented state with all control surfaces, engine, and propeller being present. The engine, panel, and cockpit area forward of the carry-through spar, were folded under the main portion of the fuselage. Both front seats had been ejected from the wreckage with the pilots seat back broken free of the seat bottom. The pilot?s lap belt was found latched and exhibited signs of friction burning in areas. The propeller was found detached from the engine crankshaft and exhibited ?s? Bending. Both wings were highly fragmented and free from the fuselage. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers remained attached and showed signs of impact with the top of the fuselage during the accident sequence. Control continuity was confirmed to all surfaces with all cables exhibiting broom-straw signatures at failure points. No pre-impact mechanical defects were noted with the engine with thumb compression present in all cylinders. Magneto, vacuum pump, and spark-plugs were found satisfactory. All fuel screens were free of contaminants. Flight gyros were disassembled with no markings or deformities being found on internal components.

Weather report at kmcd: 010135Z 16008 kt. 10SM, 22/13, A3003.

At the time the pilot departed mackinac county airport, witnesses stated it was very dark with no moon or starlight visible. The north side of mackinac island and the shoreline north of Saint Ignace have very few lights, once the pilot passed over the shoreline, heading east, he would have been in almost total darkness with no discernable horizon. Investigation also revealed damage to the right outboard fuel tank leading edge that was not consistent with other damage to the aircraft; this, and the large number of Canada geese on the airport property, leads to the possibility of a bird strike shortly after takeoff. At this time, law enforcement crime lab personnel are conducting further testing of the damaged fuel tank. Samples are being sent to the smithsonian for identification.