ATL96FA103

Witnesses observed the aircraft maneuvering at a low altitude. The aircraft entered a steep bank, stalled, and descended uncontrolled until ground impact. Postcrash examination of the aircraft structure and flight controls showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction. The propeller had bending and chordwise scratching damage indicative of being turned by engine power at the time of ground impact.

History of flight

On July 9, 1996, at 1940 eastern daylight time, a George Evenson Cuby, N1035W, registered to private individuals, crashed while maneuvering at a low altitude near Hawkinsville, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personnel flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot, and student-rated passenger were fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The flight departed the Hawkinsville, Georgia airport, the same day, about 1915.

A witness stated that the airplane had been circling the area at very low altitude for several minutes before the accident. The passenger seated in the rear seat was leaning out of the aircraft waving to the witness. The pilot, who was flying the aircraft from the front seat, placed the aircraft in a steep bank and the airplane stalled. The airplane descended uncontrolled and impacted the terrain in nose down attitude.

Personnel information

Information on the pilot is contained under First Pilot Information in this report. Information on the student-pilot rated passenger is contained in Supplement E to this report.

Aircraft information

Information on the aircraft is contained under Aircraft Information in this report.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Additional meteorological information is contained under Weather Information in this report.

Wreckage and impact information

Postcrash examination of the crash site showed the aircraft crashed in a nose down attitude in a wooded area. All components of the aircraft which are necessary for flight were located on or around the main wreckage of the aircraft. Examination of the flight control system showed that continuity of control cables was established. The propeller had bending damage and chordwise scratches indicative of rotation by engine power at ground impact. The engine tachometer read 2200 rpm. The engine was not examined.

Medical and pathological information

Postmortem examination of the pilot and passenger was performed at the direction of Charles Young, Coroner, Pulaski County, Georgia. The cause of death for the pilot and passenger was attributed to multiple traumatic injuries. No findings which could be considered causal to the accident were report.

Postmortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by Dennis V. Canfield, Ph.D., Manager Toxicology Laboratory, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs.

Postmortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the passenger was performed by Dennis V. Canfield, Ph.D., Manager Toxicology Laboratory, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. The tests were positive for 5.300 ug/ml acetaminophen.

Additional medical and pathological information is contained in Supplement K to this report and in the toxicology test reports attached to this report. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The aircraft wreckage was released to Stacey Bloodsworth, a co-owner, on July 10, 1996.