CHI01LA177

The airplane was maneuvering at an altitude of 20 feet above power lines while performing aerial observation when it impacted terrain. A witness described the airplane as perfuming a U-turn when it began to tilt and then begin a "quick" nose dive. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies.

On June 17, 2001, at 1614 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65, N46215, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain while orbiting an area two miles south of the Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW), Kenosha, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from ENW at 1600.

A witness reported the following to police, "...[The witness] stated that the plane was flying south and was only about 20 feet above the power lines. [The witness] stated that the plane was flying very slow, but could not tell if the planes motor was working. [The witness] stated that she watched as the plane flew over STH 50 and stated it appeared the plane was going to attempt a turn around and return to the Kenosha Airport. [The witness] stated that as the plane began to perform a U-turn in an easterly direction above STH 50 the plane began to tilt and then began a quick nose dive straight toward the ground..."

The pilot reported in a written statement: "...The [pilot] proceeded to make an unknown number of search passes between Highway 'K' and State Highway '50' south and slightly west of ENW at a speed of approximately 55 to 60 miles per hour, using carb heat when below 2,000 RPMs. The [pilot] recalls the tower advising at least one other aircraft of the location of the [pilot] and recalls hearing acknowledgement of the other aircraft of the traffic advisory. The next recollection that the [pilot] has was of seeing rescuers pull the [pilot] from the aircraft, which had impacted in the median of State Highway '50'..."

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed fuel to be present in the fuel strainer at the firewall, the fuel line leading to the carburetor and the carburetor. No fuel contamination was noted. Compression on all cylinders and engine continuity was also obtained during the examination.

The pilot reported a flight time of 3.1 hours in the past 90 days.