ATL02FA069

Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot was issued radar vectors to a final approach course for the ILS runway 5R approach. While on the final approach course the controller issued course correction information to the pilot, but the erratic movement of the airplane continued until the airplane descended and disappeared from radar coverage. A witness near the accident site saw the airplane as it fell from the sky in several pieces. Examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane wreckage was scattered over an area 3/4 mile long. The wreckage examination also failed to disclose a mechanical or system malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data showed low clouds with a 5500 foot overcast condition at the time of the accident.

History of flight

On March 31, 2002, at 1153 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N2BX, registered to and co-owned by the pilot, experienced an in-flight break-up following maneuvers, and a rapid descent in Apex, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules (IFR). Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for the personnel flight to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated at Malcolm McKinnon Airport in Brunswick, Georgia, at 1000 on March 31, 2002.

A review of radar data and recorded voice communications and transcripts between the pilot and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) found that at 1142:50, N2BX was approximately 30 miles south southwest of RDU north departure radar (N-DR) controller and advised he was inbound to the airport at 9,000 feet with information "Romeo." The N-DR controller advised the pilot to expect the ILS runway 5R approach. The pilot read back 5L and the N-DR controller corrected him to expect 5R. At 1145:29 N2BX was approximately 22 miles south southwest of the airport at a ground speed of 186 knots when the N-DR controller instructed the pilot to descend and maintain 4,000 feet and turn 10 degrees to the left. N2BX's Mode C indicated 9,100. At 1146:58 the N-DR controller instructed the pilot to fly heading 320 degrees Mode C indicated 8,000 feet at a ground speed of 203 knots. The pilot acknowledged both transmissions.

At 1148:49, N2BX was approximately 13 miles southwest of RDU and the N-DR controller advised, "are you gonna make the descent I'm turning you into the final in about 3 to 4 miles." N2BX's Mode C indicated 7,100 feet at a speed of 164 knots. The pilot acknowledged that he would expedite his descent. At 1149:39, N2BX was approximately 12 miles southwest of RDU when the N-DR controller advised the pilot, "4 miles from the final approach fix turn right heading 010 maintain at or above 2,400 till established on the localizer clear ILS runway 5R approach." SPUNK is the final approach fix for the procedure and is located approximately 7 miles southwest of the airport. The approach extends from the airport southwest with an inbound course along a 052-degree bearing. Mode C indicated 5,400 feet at a speed of 191 knots. At 1150:24, the N-DR controller observed N2BX going through the localizer and instructed the pilot to turn left heading 090 degrees to rejoin. The pilot acknowledged the transmission. N2BX's Mode C indicated 4,100 feet at a speed of 211 knots. At 1150:29, radar data was no longer providing Mode C readout. At 1150:47, the data block indicated the track entered "coast" status and could no longer associate the flight plan information with the radar returns. At 1150:55, the N-DR controller requested the pilot state his altitude. The pilot did not respond. The N-DR controller made several more attempts to contact N2BX. No further communications were received. Search and rescue notifications were initiated.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing airplane engine noises, then seeing the airplane come out of the fog straight down, with one wing coming down separately and debris continuing to fall afterwards.

Personnel information

A review of information on file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate on June 19, 1993, with rating for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed his last recorded biennial flight review was conducted on November 21, 2000. The logbook also revealed that the pilot had accumulated a total time of 619 hours with 206 in single engine airplanes and 410 in multiengine airplanes. A review of records on file with the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division revealed the pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on October 23, 2001.

Aircraft information

A review of the aircraft maintenance records revealed the last recorded annual inspection was completed on March 1, 2002, at 3,443.5, hour's total time and 7.0 hours since that inspection at the time of the accident.

Meteorological information

The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina RDU. The 1151 surface weather observation was: winds from 040-degrees at 7 knots; 1 1/2 statue miles visibility, mist, broken at 500 feet and overcast at 5,500 feet. Temperature was reported at 13-degrees Celsius, dew point 12-degrees Celsius, and altimeter setting of 30.03.

Wreckage and impact information

Initial examination found the wreckage scattered approximately three-quarters of a mile throughout a wooded and residential area. The cabin and empennage sections of the fuselage and the vertical fin were found inverted in a wooded area with both engines in close proximity. The nose cone was found 530 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 304 degrees magnetic. The majority of the left wing outboard of the engine nacelle was found 540 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 081 degrees magnetic. A portion of the outboard left wing with the stall warning port was found 740 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 267 degrees magnetic. The tip of the left wing was found 775 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 288 degrees magnetic. The right wing outboard of the engine nacelle was found 170 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 308 degrees magnetic. The right side of the horizontal stabilator was found 395 feet from the fuselage on a bearing of 219 degrees magnetic. Portions of the left horizontal stabilator were not located.

The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, vertical fin and rudder, and both engines. The main wreckage was found inverted. The cabin and fuselage were crushed. Blue marks were displayed on the left side of the fuselage near the pilot's side and top section of the cabin area. The left fuel selector valve was found in the off position, the right valve was found in the cross feed position. The flap handle was found in the flap up position. The landing gear lever was found in the down position. The left side of the vertical fin had blue marks. The left and right side of the stabilator was separated. Blue and black marks were displayed on the left and right side near the aft tie down area. The surface skin separation area near the root on both the left and right side was bent downward. The trim drum measured 1 3/8 inches and displayed 14 threads, which translates to neutral position. The left stabilator balance weight on the inner surface area, had damage and scoring in an aft direction. The left stabilator tip was separated. The rest of the left side of the stabilator was not found. The trim tab was separated in half. The left and right side of the trim tab was curved in a downward manner. The right side of the stabilator balance weight was separated and not found. Several trees and surrounding brush were also damaged.

Examination of the left wing, aileron and flap were found that the wing was cut near the wing root for aircraft recovery. The wing was separated approximately 7 feet from the wing root. The bottom spar separation area was bent upward approximately 45-degrees. The matting surface for the top spar, approximately 6 inches, was not found. This spar section was located behind the inboard fuel tank area, and this section of the wing measured 6 feet in length. The top spar separation area on the 6-foot section of the wing displayed tension and was bent upward, and 9 inches outboard. The top spar was bent downward approximately 45-degrees. The skin section on the top spar displayed buckling. The bottom section of the spar in the same location was broken. The first piece measured 25