20190803013289A

On August 3, 2019 at 11:42 eastern, a Piper PA-28-180 aircraft, N5167L, registered to and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while en-route from gogebic-iron county airport (iwd), ironwood, Michigan to Schuster airport (ogm), Ontonagon, Michigan. Instrument meteorological conditions and isolated thunderstorm 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.

Radar and cell phone data shows N5167L departed iwd at 11:15 in a northwesterly direction towards lake superior. Weather at that time would be considered marginal VFR with low ceiling and localized rain showers developing to the northwest and moving in a southeasterly direction. The flight track following departure meandered near the lake shore then turned north; followed a few minutes later with a turn to the east. The pilot then made a number of turns in both directions prior to loss of radar and cell phone contact. At approximately 12:30 the pilot was reported overdue by his brother and a search was initiated. At 18:30 the wreckage was located by search & rescue personnel in a heavily wooded area approximately 10 nautical miles southwest of ogm.

Examination of the wreckage revealed a debris field 25 yards long on a magnetic heading of 260 degrees with small paint chips and broken tree branches at the initial impact point. Tree scarring was detected approximately 60 feet above ground and the main portion of wreckage was contained within 20 foot diameter area at the end of the debris field. A large number of trees around the accident site showed signs of wilting although the smell of fuel could not be detected. All components and flight controls were located at the accident site. The aircraft was highly fragmented and crushed with both wings and tail section separated. Control continuity could not be established due to the high degree of damage but all failed cables showed broom straw signs. The engine remained attached to the crushed engine mount and firewall. The propeller was located under the main wreckage and showed signs of s bending and cord wise scratching indicative of high power on impact. The cockpit area was highly fragmented with the dash and rudder pedals twisted 90 degrees counter-clock-wise. The pilots seatbelt was latched and remained mounted to the floor.

Engine examination revealed no anomalies that would be a factor prior to the accident. Fuel was found in the carburetor and fuel selection valve. The engine crankshaft remained intact and could be rotated. Thumb compression was detected in all cylinders and no fowling of sparkplugs was noted. The right magneto showed spark when rotated.

During examination of weather and flight track data it was found that the pilot had departed iwd in deteriorating VFR and continued in a direction of heavy cloud cover and isolated rain showers. Weather radar also revealed 2 small intense rain/thunderstorm cells near the site at the time of the accident. No record of the pilot receiving a weather brief could be found.

Weather at iwd 031456Z 34005KT 10SM FEW013 23/19 A3013 rmk A02 SLP201 T02280194 53004.

Weather at cmx 031450Z 08006KT 1 1/2 sm br OVC002 19/17 A3012 rmk A02 $.