CHI08LA080

The airline transport pilot had purchased the vintage airplane earlier in the day and was en route to attend a family event later that afternoon. Track data for the accident flight indicated that the airplane was flying between 300 and 600 feet above ground level (agl) when it encountered a wind farm with several 400-foot-tall wind turbines. The data showed that the airplane made a 90-degree course change, which was followed by a figure-8 turn at varying altitudes between 800 and 1,500 feet agl. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low, left-wing-down attitude. The 300-foot-long debris path and fragmentation of the airplane were consistent with a high-speed impact. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The intended route of flight was into an area of extensive instrument weather conditions consisting of low ceilings and reduced visibility. Weather stations near the accident site reported 400- to 600-foot agl overcast ceilings and visibilities of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 miles in mist. During the accident flight, there were active flight advisories for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight and moderate icing conditions. The pilot had obtained three weather briefings before departing on the accident flight, all of which forecasted that IFR conditions would exist along the planned route. The airplane was not equipped for instrument flight.

History of flight

On February 8, 2008, at 1309 central standard time (cst), a 1948 Cessna 140, N3537V, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain following a loss of control during cruise flight near Grand Meadow, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight departed New Richmond Regional Airport (KRNH), New Richmond, Wisconsin, about 1211 cst and was enroute to Oskaloosa Municipal Airport (KOOA), Oskaloosa, Iowa.

The pilot had purchased the airplane earlier in the day, and was flying to Fulton, Missouri, to attend a family event later that afternoon. He intended to stop at KOOA to obtain fuel before continuing on to Elton Hensley Memorial Airport (KFTT) near Fulton, Missouri.

The accident flight path was reconstructed using data recovered from a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver located in the wreckage and aircraft radar track data. At 1211 cst, the airplane departed from KRNH on runway 14 and proceeded south on a direct course to KOOA. The airplane cruised between 1,600 and 1,900 feet mean sea level (msl). At 1306:48, the airplane made a 90-degree left turn and proceeded east for about 60 seconds before completing a figure-8 turn at varying altitudes between 2,200 and 2,900 feet msl. At 1309:08, the last GPS position was recorded at 2,276 feet msl. The elevation of the accident site was about 1,368 feet msl.

The GPS and radar data was plotted on an aviation sectional chart. The initial 90-degree course change and figure-8 maneuver were performed immediately north and east of several 400-foot tall wind turbines. The ground track for a direct course from KRNH to KOOA passed through this area of wind turbines.

Personnel information

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot of N3537V, age 54, held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land, airplane single engine sea, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument rotorcraft ratings. The rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument rotorcraft ratings were limited to commercial pilot privileges. The airplane single engine land and sea ratings were limited to private pilot privileges. The pilot also had a flight engineer certificate for turbojet airplanes. He was type-rated for the Boeing 727, Douglas DC-9, McDonnell Douglas MD-11, and Fokker 100. A search of FAA records showed no accident, incident, enforcement or disciplinary actions.

The pilot's last aviation medical examination was completed on September 11, 2007, when he was issued a first-class medical certificate with no limitations or restrictions. At the time of the medical examination, he reported having 21,000 hours of flight experience. The pilot was a captain with a domestic airline. The airline reported his last regulatory checkride was completed on December 23, 2007.

Aircraft information

The accident airplane was a 1948 Cessna 140, serial number (s/n) 14809. The airplane incorporated a metal fuselage and fabric covered wings with metal control surfaces. It was equipped with externally braced wings, wing flaps, and a fixed conventional landing gear. The airplane seated two occupants and had a certified maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 lbs. The airplane was not certified for operation under instrument flight rules (IFR). The airplane was equipped with a turn-and-bank indicator that was powered by a venturi vacuum system, but was not equipped with an artificial horizon or a directional gyro.

The original standard airworthiness certificate was issued on June 2, 1948. The airframe had a total service time of 1,970.6 hours at the time of the accident. The last annual inspection was completed on January 24, 2007, at 1,968.0 hours total service time. The airplane had accumulated 2.6 hours since the inspection. The pilot had purchased the airplane on the morning of the accident. The previous owner reported that the pilot was aware that the annual inspection had lapsed. According to the FAA, the pilot did not obtain a ferry permit for the accident flight.

A Teledyne Continental Motors model C90-12F reciprocating engine, s/n 15311-2-12-R, powered the airplane. The 90-horsepower engine provided thrust through a McCauley model 1A90, fixed pitch, two-blade, metal propeller. The engine had a total service time of 1,075.6 hours at the time of the accident. The last engine maintenance was performed on January 24, 2007, at 1,073.0 hours total time, during the last annual inspection.

A review of the maintenance records found no history of unresolved airworthiness issues.

Meteorological information

The National Weather Service (NWS) Surface Analysis Chart for 1200 cst depicted a low pressure center over northern Iowa and an associated occluded front approaching the accident site. The NWS Weather Depiction Charts for 1000 cst and 1300 cst depicted an extensive area of IFR weather conditions along and ahead of the low pressure center and the associated occluded front. The departure airport and accident site were located northeast of the low pressure center and occluded front. Surface observations taken along the route of flight reported IFR conditions due to low ceilings and visibility restrictions in light snow, mist, or haze.

The departure airport (KRNH) was equipped with an automated weather observing system (AWOS) that reported the following weather conditions surrounding the departure time:

At 1135 cst: Wind 120 degrees true at 4 knots; visibility 1-1/4 statute miles (sm) in light snow; sky overcast at 1,500 feet above ground level (agl); temperature -5 degrees Celsius; dew point -7 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.72 inches of mercury.

At 1235 cst: Wind 110 degrees true at 5 knots; visibility 1-1/4 sm in light snow; sky overcast at 1,500 feet agl; temperature -5 degrees Celsius; dew point -7 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.72 inches of mercury.

The closest weather reporting facility to the accident site was at the Austin Municipal Airport (KAUM), about 14.5 nm west of the accident site. The airport was equipped with an automated weather observing system. The local weather conditions were continually broadcast and accessible using an aviation radio. The following weather conditions were reported by the AUM AWOS:

At 1256 cst: Wind 140 degrees true at 4 knots; visibility 1-1/2 sm with mist; sky overcast at 400 feet agl; temperature -3 degrees Celsius; dew point -4 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.63 inches of mercury.

At 1316 cst: Wind 140 degrees true at 6 knots; visibility 1-1/2 sm with mist; sky overcast at 400 feet agl; temperature -3 degrees Celsius; dew point -4 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.63 inches of mercury.

The next closest weather reporting facility was at Rochester International Airport (KRST), about 15 nm north-northeast of the accident site. The airport was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS). The local weather conditions were continually broadcast and accessible on an Airport Terminal Information Service (ATIS) frequency. The following weather conditions were reported by the RST ASOS:

At 1254 cst: Wind 130 degrees true at 9 knots; visibility 2-1/2 sm with mist; sky overcast at 600 feet agl; temperature -3 degrees Celsius; dew point -5 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.64 inches of mercury. The surface visibility was 3 sm.

At 1308 cst: Wind 120 degrees true at 8 knots; visibility 3 sm with mist; sky overcast at 600 feet agl; temperature -3 degrees Celsius; dew point -5 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.64 inches of mercury. The surface visibility was 3 sm.

Satellite infrared imagery depicted extensive layer of low stratifo