ATL96FA114

The flight was at 8000 feet, in cruise flight, when the pilot reported a total loss of engine power and smoke in the cockpit. Air Traffic Control gave the pilot vectors to Sloan Airport, a small, private airstrip, north of Greer. The pilot was unable to locate the single east-west grass strip and attempted an emergency landing in a pasture approximately 0.7 nautical miles (nm) north of Sloan. The airplane struck a tree bordering the pasture and struck terrain beyond the tree, coming to rest inverted. The engine was examined and revealed that the number 3 piston had maximum mechanical damage and the least heat damage. The number 3 piston pin was found wedged in the left crankcase half, jammed against the number 2 main bearing support. The metallurgists report indicated that the number 3 piston had deteriorated in flight for undetermined reasons.

History of flight

On August 2, 1996, at 1915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna TU206A, N4813F, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees and the terrain during a forced landing attempt near Greer, South Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Charlotte, North Carolina about 1830, and was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan to Dayton, Tennessee at the time of the accident.

Personnel at the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Center in Greer, South Carolina reported that the pilot reported that the airplane engine had lost power, and he was getting smoke in the airplane. The air traffic controller attempted to give the pilot radar vectors to the nearest airport, which was a private grass airstrip approximately 5 miles from the pilots position. The radar controller stated that the last altitude readout from the airplane was about 800 feet above ground level, at a point about 1/2 mile west of the airfield.

Witnesses in the area of the accident reported that the aircraft engine sounded as if it were making surging sounds and saw smoke exiting the airplane. The aircraft wings appeared to rock back and forth from side to side just prior to the crash, and the aircraft nose appeared to drop to a near vertical attitude just prior to impact. The airplane came to rest inverted.

Personnel information

The pilot was certificated as an instrument rated private pilot. He had approximately 580 total flight hours, the most recent in the Cessna TU206A. The record of the pilot's flight time is incomplete due to the fact that the investigator was only given one log book and only total flight time was forwarded. The other log book was requested but not received from the estate. There are no reports of previous incidents or accidents involving the pilot.

The pilot applied and received a third class medical certificate on December 22, 1993. He reported, in the Medical History section, that he was medically discharged from the military and was admitted to the hospital, both which he previously reported. This application does not indicate the reasons for either condition. The pilot applied and received a third class medical on December 21, 1995. The Medical History section indicated the two previously reported conditions and a third condition, labeled, Other illness, disability or surgery, which he indicated was previously reported. Additionally, he reported hip surgery performed on April 24, 1995.

Aircraft information

The Cessna TU206B is a six seat, single engine airplane. According to the engine log of N4813F, on February 14, 1995, new standard pistons and rings were installed, from Superior Air Parts. A maintenance operations check was performed on the engine and the airplane was returned to service. An annual inspection was performed on December 7, 1995.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Additional meteorological information may be obtained in this report on page 4 under section titled Weather Information.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage was found 1/2 mile northwest of Sloan Airport. A crater was identified, about 3 feet by 1 foot, with the nose gear located near it, along with several tree branches. The airplane was found approximately 15 feet northeast of the crater, upside-down, with the nose pointing in a southerly direction. There was no evidence of a fire in the wreckage or around the site.

The spinner was found crumpled, at the tip and sides, with the three propeller blades still attached. One of the blades had scratch marks on the cambered side, parallel with the twist of the blade. Another blade was bent close to the hub and then again near the tip, creating an "S" curvature. The third blade was bent slightly aft. The engine was exposed when found at the accident site. Examination of the engine revealed a hole in the crankcase, between the number 2 and 4 cylinders, which measured about 1 inch in diameter. There was another hole between the number 1 and 3 cylinders, just above the engine data plate. A third hole was observed between the number 3 and 5 cylinders, smaller than the two previously mentioned. There was oil distributed throughout the engine cowling, and oil running down the left side of the aircraft fuselage. The number 2 cylinder through bolt, at the 10 o'clock position was pushed out from the cylinder base. The nut was missing from the number 3 cylinder at the 10 o'clock position.

The seats were found intact with their respective seat belts and harnesses. The instrument panel was damaged, with several instruments broken off the panel and obscured by the wreckage. See Supplement B for configurations.

The left wing leading edge was buckled rearward. The left flap extension was about 40 degrees as measured with a bubble protractor. The right wing leading edge was crushed aft from the tip to 1/3 from the wing strut. The right wing flap could not be measured because it had been moved to access the cabin door.

The fuselage appeared to have little damage. The tail was bent just forward of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. The vertical stabilizer, forward of the rudder, was buckled on both sides, at the top. The rudder was not damaged. The horizontal stabilizer was not damaged.

Medical and pathological information

On August 6, 1996, a toxicological examination of the pilot was conducted at the FAA Toxicological Research Laboratory. The toxicological examination revealed bupropion detected in the blood and urine, and 139.900 ug/ml, ug/g of Salicylate detected in the urine. Bupropion can be detected in the blood and urine for up to five weeks after use. The examination did not reveal ethanol. Bupropion and aspirin tablets were found in the pilot's pocket and bupropion, Tylenol Sinus, aspirin, and Marezine tablets were found in the wreckage.

Bupropion is a prescription medication used for the treatment of depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to the Physician's Desk Reference, some significant side effects include restlessness, agitation, insomnia, and a small risk of seizures, particularly at high doses. It also states that this drug may impair one's ability to perform tasks requiring judgment or motor skills, and therefore, individuals should refrain from driving an automobile or operating complex, hazardous machinery until reasonably certain that the medication does not adversely affect their performance. Conditions for which this medication is prescribed, depression or ADHD, are known to adversely affect performance, particularly in stressful environments.

The pilot was being treated for depression since late in 1992. In January of 1994, he was placed on bupropion. The pilot requested to be taken off of the medication in March of 1995. In October of 1995, his doctor stated that he had relapsed episidle depression, and put him back on bupropion. On the pilot's medical certificate application, December 22, 1993, he stated that he was not currently on any medication and did not report that he was diagnosed with depression. The same applies for his application for medical certificate on December 21, 1995.

Tests and research

The engine was visually checked at the accident site, revealing 3 holes in the engine case. The engine was sent to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) for further examination. According to TCM, the oil sump was removed and various metallic debris was found, consisting of pieces of piston and rings, connecting rod and cap pieces, rod bolt and rod nut pieces, bearing from number 3 connecting rod, burned pieces of bearing, 2 pieces of the starter adapter spring and a piece of starter adapter drum. The