FTW04FA232

A witness observed the single engine vintage airplane in level flight and suddenly nose dive into the ground shortly after takeoff. Several witnesses at the airport reported that the pilot taxied the airplane to the runway run-up area and taxi back to a hangar, where he performed work on the airplane. Upon completing the work, the pilot taxied back to the runway, and proceeded to takeoff. A private individual who shared the hangar with the 8,000-hour pilot stated that he found a can of solvent and a sparkplug cleaner out of place and next to the air compressor the day of the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed they were free of anomalies. Examination of the carburetor (Model MA-4-5, part number 10-2301, serial number 3908881) revealed the lower piece of the two piece venturi was dislodged and cocked over to one side. The legs of the lower piece were fractured and displayed evidence of carbon. The mating gasket between the upper and low body of the carburetor was imploded in two locations. Excessive soot and blackening was observed in the carburetor throat during disassembly examination.

History of flight

On September 4, 2004, approximately 1200 central daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A-3 single-engine airplane, N79307, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed upon collision with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff initial climb from the Corsicana Municipal Airport (CRS), near Corsicana, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A witness reported to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, that they observed the airplane in straight and level flight and "suddenly nose dived into the ground." Additional witnesses located at the airport reported that they observed the airplane taxi to the runway run-up area and taxi back to the hanger. The pilot apparently worked on the airplane at the hangar, and then taxied back to the runway for departure. A friend of the pilot, who shared hangar space with the pilot, reported in a written statement to the NTSB, that he found a can of solvent and a sparkplug cleaner out of place and next to the air compressor in the hangar.

Personnel information

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, instrument airplane and gliders. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued on January, 28, 2004. The pilot reported a total of 8,000 hours of flight time on his most recent medical application. The pilot's most recent logbook was not available.

Aircraft information

The 1943-model Fairchild M-62A-3, serial number FZ-337, was a low wing, fabric and metal covered tubular structure tailwheel equipped airplane, with a fixed landing gear, configured to carry a maximum of two occupants in a tandem seating configuration. The airplane was powered by a Ranger Aviation 6-44OC-5 engine, serial number 6469, rated at 200 horsepower, driving a two bladed wooden propeller. The engine was equipped with a Marvel-Schebler carburetor; model number MA-4-5, serial number 3908881.

Review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed the airplane underwent its most recent annual inspection on June 4, 2004 at a total airframe time of 1,028.9 hours. No open maintenance discrepancies were noted.

The Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) obtained four engine logbooks and three airframe logbooks. The following entries were observed within in the logbooks.

Engine Logbook #2:

"March 2, 1985: Engine installed in Fairchild M-62A-3 (N79307)."

Under the Airworthiness Directives (AD) Compliance section, the following entry was observed: "93-18-03 M.S. carb venturi (change req in AD 63-22-03) 1pc venturi." No date was observed for this entry.

Engine Logbook #3:

An entry within the AD compliance section noted on June 1, 2004, stated the following: "54-09-01 - Hot spot close off 6/1/04 inspect housing for cracks, 72-06-05 - M.S. carb throttle arm, 92-15-16 - M.S. carb metal float, 93-18-03 - M.S. carb venturi (one piece)"

Engine Logbook #4:

"May 1, 2004: Est. 200 SMOH, EST 1200 TT, This engine removed from PT-26A A/C S# FT-592 which has been in long term storage with no logs available. Military records showed niltime when good + probably just been overhauled at 1,000 hours. Drained oil, cleaned screens + filter, flushed with kerosene, including tank and oil cooler. Plugs cleaned, calves were not carbon coated, all hoses replaced, mag timing and synchronization checked and lubed, carb controls, + all linkages inspected and lubed. Engine run on mixture of 1/2 50w oil + 1/2 kerosene. Oil analysis sample taken."

"May, 2004: Additional test run on new 50W oil and flushed. Installed 4 [illegible] 25/50 oil. Run on test stand with 4 blade test club. Oil px 52/25 idle."

"May, 2004: Additional test runs at various settings and installed on ac N79307."

"June 2, 2004: I certify that this engine has been inspected IAW a 100HR inspection and was determined to be in airworthy condition."

Meteorological information

At 1153, the automated surface observing system at CRS reported wind from 140 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 2,600 feet, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 70 degrees Fahrenheit, an a altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of Mercury.

Aerodrome information

CRS is an uncontrolled airport operating under class G airspace. The field elevation for CRS was 449 feet. The airport has a single asphalt runway, 4,999 feet in length, and 75 feet wide, oriented on a heading of 140 and 320 degrees respectively.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane came to rest inverted in a field approximately .75 nautical miles southwest of runway 14. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was separated from the fuselage and fragmented into multiple pieces. The right wing remained partially attached to the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for examination by the NTSB.

Medical and pathilogical information

The Office of the Medical Examiner, of Dallas, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot on September 5, 2004. Specimens for toxicological tests were taken from the pilot by the medical examiner. According to the autopsy, the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute's (CAMI) Forensic and Accident Research Center examined the specimens taken by the medical examiner. The toxicological tests were positive for Lidocaine, Atropine, Citalopram, and DI-N-Desmethylcitalopram.

According to Safety Board's Medical Doctor, the use of Citalopram is not recommended before flying. The use of Citalopram would have disqualified the pilot's medical certification if it had been reported. During a review of the pilot's past medical applications, no record was found that the pilot reported the use of these medications to the FAA medical examiner.

Tests and research

Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector and the NTSB investigator-in-charge on October 14, 2004, at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas, located near Lancaster, Texas, revealed the following:

Elevator and aileron control continuity was established within the cockpit between both forward and aft flight control columns. Damage sustained to the fuselage prohibited movement of the rudder pedals in both the forward and aft seats. The mixture and throttle control rods remained attached to the carburetor. Continuity was established for the throttle and mixture control for the forward and aft cockpits.

All of the engine mounts were separated. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine and accessory housing when rotated using the propeller. The left and right magnetos remained attached to their respective mount. The magnetos were removed for bench testing, and produced spark when rotated using a hand drill. The spark plugs were removed and were found consistent with a fouled condition.

Examination of the carburetor (Model MA-4-5, part number 10-2301, serial number 3908881) revealed the lower piece of the two piece venturi was dislodged and cocked over to one side. The legs of the lower piece were fractured and displayed evidence of carbon. The mating gasket between the upper and low body of the carburetor was imploded in two locations. Excessive soot and blackening was observed in the carburetor throat during the disassembly. The carburetor inlet screen found free of debris.

The rotary fuel pump was removed and rotated using a hand drill. The fuel pump