ATL93LA142

Witnesses heard the sound of a diving airplane, then observed a fragmented airplane falling out of the clouds and continuing in a nose-low attitude until impact with terrain. The canadian registered homebuilt plane had been purchased by the pilot two days before the accident. The pilot received a weather briefing from raleigh automated flight service station the day of the accident which called for instrument meteorological conditions along the proposed route of flight. Official transcripts from the telephone conversation between the pilot and flight service contain statements made by the pilot acknowledging the fact that the airplane did not have the proper instrumentation for flight into IMC conditions, but that he planned to attempt the flight anyway.

History of flight

On August 7, 1993, at 1345 eastern daylight time, a William D. Butterill Mustang M1, with Canadian registry CFYSJ was substantially damaged following an in flight breakup and collision with terrain near Wadesboro, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Siler City, North Carolina at 1245 and the intended destination was Jacksonville, Florida.

On the day of the accident, at 1232 eastern daylight time, the pilot contacted Raleigh Automated Flight Service Station and received an aviation weather briefing. The briefing called for instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight. The pilot mentioned during the phone conversation (please see official transcript included with this report) that the airplane did not contain the instruments required by 14 CFR 91.205(d) for flight into IMC, but that he planned to continue the flight anyway.

According to witnesses, there was an overcast cloud layer at 400 feet above ground level in the area of the accident. The aircraft was observed to exit the base of the clouds in a nose down vertical position. Witnesses stated that the aircraft was in several pieces as it exited the cloud base.

Personnel information

Information on the pilot is included in this report in the section titled "First Pilot Information".

Aircraft information

As stated above, the aircraft lacked the equipment required by Federal Aviation Regulations for flight solely by reference to instruments. Additional aircraft information can be found in this report in the section titled "Aircraft Information".

Meteorological information

Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. Additional weather information can be found in this report in the section titled "Weather Information".

Wreckage and impact information

The aircraft wreckage was distributed over an area of approximately 500 feet in length. Both the left and right wings were found at the beginning of the wreckage path. The fuselage and engine were located approximately 300 feet east of the wings.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was performed by Dr. Lisa M. Flannigan, M.D., on August 8, 1993 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The medical examiner stated that there was evidence of coronary artherosclerotic disease of the heart found during post mortem examination of the pilot. Toxicological examination of the pilot revealed no evidence of drugs or alcohol.