CHI02LA105

The airplane impacted the terrain in an uncontrolled descent. A witness to the accident reported the airplane had been flying over his residence prior to the accident. The witness estimated the altitude of the airplane to be approximately 200 feet agl. The witness reported the pilot and the passenger waved at him, and then the airplane departed in a southwesterly direction. The witness stated that while returning to his residence he heard a sound like a shotgun. The witness reported he turned toward the direction the airplane had just departed and saw the wreckage of the airplane about 100 yards from his location. All primary structural elements and flight control surfaces were located along a wreckage path that was approximately 46 feet in length. No anomalies were found with the airplane, engine, or flight control system that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

History of flight

On April 9, 2002, at 1855 central daylight time, an amateur-built Bozeman Pietenpol Aircamper, N96EB, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Rocky Comfort, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his single passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from the Cassville Municipal Airport, Cassville, Missouri, at an unconfirmed time.

According to a witness, the accident the accident airplane had been flying over the property of the passenger's family at an estimated altitude of 200 feet agl. The witness reported the pilot and the passenger waved at him, and then the airplane departed in a southwesterly direction. The witness stated that while returning to his residence he heard a sound like a shotgun. The witness reported he turned toward the direction the airplane had just departed and saw the wreckage of the airplane about 100 yards from his location.

Personnel information

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot was the holder of a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. FAA records show the pilot's last medical examination was performed on October 19, 2001, and he was issued a third-class medical certificate with the restriction, "Must Have Available Glasses For Near Vision". At the pilot's last medical examination he reported that he had accumulated a total flight time of 400 hours. The FAA reported that the pilot had 191 hours in the accident airplane.

Aircraft information

The aircraft was a 1996 Bozeman Pietenpol Aircamper, N96EB, serial number 001. The Pietenpol Aircamper is an amateur-built experimental monoplane. The Pietenpol Aircamper is constructed of fabric-covered wood structure. The Pietenpol Aircamper has a fixed conventional landing gear and can accommodate a pilot and a single passenger. The accident airplane was powered by 115 horsepower Lycoming O-235 engine. The empty weight of the Pietenpol Aircamper is advertised as 625 lbs and it has a useful load of 455 lbs. The FAA issued the airplane an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate on September 17, 1996.

Meteorological information

A weather observation station, located at the Joplin Regional Airport (JLN), about 30 nautical miles (nm) northwest of the accident site, recorded the weather approximately two minutes after the accident as:

Observation Time: 1855

Wind: 080 degrees magnetic at 6 knots

Visibility: 10 statute miles

Sky Condition: Sky Clear

Temperature: 19 degrees Celsius

Dew Point: 07 degrees Celsius

Pressure: 30.28 inches of mercury

Wreckage and impact information

FAA inspectors from the Kansas City Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) performed the post-accident inspection of the airplane on April 10, 2002.

The accident site was located in an open pasture that was approximately 600 feet long by 300 feet wide. There was a wreckage path, approximately 46 feet in length, which was orientated on a westerly heading. All primary structural elements and flight control surfaces were found at the accident site. The leading edges of both wings were crushed aft and both wing struts were separated from the fuselage structure. Flight control continuity could not be established due to damage. The wooden propeller was fractured at the propeller spinner. Fragmented portions of the propeller were located at distances up to 100 feet from the main wreckage.

No anomalies were found with the airplane, engine, or flight control system that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Cox South Center, Springfield, Missouri, on April 10, 2002.

A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The toxicology results for the pilot were:

* No Carbon Monoxide detected in Blood

* No Cyanide detected in Blood

* No Ethanol detected in Urine

* No Drugs detected in Urine

Additional information

The FAA Kansas City FSDO was a party to the accident.