20210615007729A

Aircraft was on descent into doylestown airport (dyl), en route from south jersey regional airport (vay). Aircraft experienced fire and smoke, and crashed into a wooded area approximately 0.5 miles from dyl, striking a tree with the right wingroot and impacting the ground. The aircraft fire continued to burn after the accident. No ground injuries were reported. The pilot was fatally injured.

Numerous witnesses have contacted this office to describe what they saw or heard leading up to or during the accident.

Witness #1, personally interviewed, stated she saw the aircraft enter the trees and orange flames spread when it hit.

Witness #2, personally interviewed, stated he saw the aircraft clipping trees, then heard a ?thud?. Described a "clip, clip, clip" sound followed by a hit/drop. Stated fire looked like it was in the cockpit area, but concentrated around the engine. Thinks he heard a propeller sound prior to impact, but is not certain.

Witness #3 provided statement to dyl airport staff, describing the aircraft heading northwest, engine running rough, trailing, blue-gray smoke at first.

Witness #4, interviewed by telephone, stated he was in his backyard just south of 202 and 313; heard engine sputter then pop, looked up and saw aircraft on fire and trailing smoke, bank right then left, then follow what looked like a typical flight path to dyl airport, except lost altitude quickly. Provided video of aircraft smoking and disappearing below tree line.

Witness #5, interviewed by telephone stated she lives in wooded right along 313, 1 to 1-1/2 mile south of accident. Was out on her deck, and heard it before she saw it coming from direction of 263 (south). Lots of planes come overhead, but caught her attention cause didn?t sound right and was low over her house. Over her house, engine sputtered, stopped (no sound), then sputtered again. Heard go quiet again after it passed her. No smoke. Engine made a ?putt, putt, putt? Sound. No fire, no smell.

Witness #6, personally interviewed, stated that he had also flown to south jersey regional airport from doylestown on the morning of the accident, had breakfast with the victim, and that they only discussed how good the aircraft had been flying and how happy the victim was with the aircraft.

Witness #7, provided a written statement by email ?I was outside in my front yard that morning when I heard a small airplane overhead.... It got my attention because the engine was obviously running rough and sputtering. I am at (redacted by inspector) and the plane was flying northwest toward the airport. After my view was blocked by trees I could still hear it, running even worse, as it flew away.?

Witness #8, personally interviewed, stated victim called UNICOM 2-3 minutes prior to accident and advised he was on fire and to call 911 (UNICOM recording does not establish this). Called 911 and they stated they had already received two calls. Arrived on-scene around 10:39-10:40; fire department was already there, so he stopped at the tree line. Confirmed no fuel or oil bought from dyl FBO on day of accident.

Aircraft inspection revealed hole in the right engine case above the #4 cylinder, the #4 connecting rod cap missing, and the connecting rod resting around the camshaft, and damage to the intake tappet, #4 cylinder skirt and piston skirt. #4 cylinder hold-down nuts were loose at 8:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 01:00 positions, and case damage and/or cracking was also noted surrounding the related studs.