CHI00FA171

The airplane was destroyed on impact with a bean field during a cross-country flight. The pilot was not instrument rated. Weather radar indicated that an area of convective activity was present at the time of the accident. A witness reported hearing a low flying plane during a heavy downpour. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies.

History of flight

On June 25, 2000, at 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna 210J, N3396S, owned and operated by a non-instrument rated private pilot, was destroyed on impact in a 20-acre bean field. Instrument meteorological conditions with convective activity prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was fatally injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Mason City, Iowa and was en route to Dubuque, Iowa.

A witness reported that at 1630 there was a heavy downpour when he heard a plane that sounded very low coming from the northeast.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. He received a third class medical certificate on March 3, 1999 with the limitation of "must wear corrective lenses". Medical certificate information indicated that the pilot accumulated a total time of 2,000 hours.

Aircraft information

The airplane, serial number 21059196, was powered by a Continental IO-520-J engine, serial number 198137-9-J, rated at 285 horsepower. An annual inspection of the airframe and engine was completed on November 23, 1999 at a total airframe time of 3,683.6 hours.

Meteorological information

The Waterloo, Iowa automated surface observing system (ASOS), located approximately 12 nm south of the accident site, recorded at 1606, wind 240 degrees at 10 knots gusts to 38 knots; 1/4 sm visibility, heavy thunderstorms, rain showers and fog; scattered layer of clouds at 200 feet agl, broken layer at 4,600 feet and an overcast layer at 9,000 feet; temperature 22 degrees C, dewpoint 21 degrees C; altimeter 29.92 inches.

NEXRAD radar showed an area of convective activity near the accident site at 1600.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage path and ground scarring extended approximately 150 feet along a southeasterly direction. Both wings were separated from the airframe and were located along the wreckage path. The empennage was attached to the airframe and control continuity to the cockpit was confirmed. The cockpit area was destroyed.

The propeller hub was separated from the engine and buried by its two blades. The blades were twisted and curled. The crankshaft displayed a 45-degree fracture surface aft of the propeller flange. No mechanical anomalies were noted.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy of the pilot was conducted by the Iowa Department of Health on June 27, 2000.

FAA toxicological tests results reported 23(mg/dL, mg/hg) ethanol, 17(mg/dL, mg/hg) acetaldeyde. The test report also stated, "The ethanol in this case is from postmortem ethanol formation and not from the ingestion of ethanol."

Additional information

The Federal Aviation Administration and Cessna Aircraft Company were parties to the investigation.

The wreckage was released to the Bremer County Sheriff.