FTW93FA176

A non-instrument rated pilot was ferrying the agricultural airplane back to home base on a dark night following completion of unscheduled maintenance at a nearby airport. He flew into IMC 10 miles short of his destination. A magnetic compass and the airspeed indicator were the only flight instruments installed on the airplane. Control was lost after the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and the airplane impacted the terrain at a high rate of speed in a nose low attitute in a right 90 degree bank. A pilot at the point of departure reported that the airplane headed into an anvil type cumulonimbus cloud with severe cloud to ground lightning.

History of flight

On June 3, 1993, at approximately 2140 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285 agricultural airplane, N57592, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control near Texhoma, Texas. The commercial non-instrument rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the maintenance ferry flight.

According to the operator, the airplane was flown to a maintenance facility at the Hutchinson County Airport in Borger, Texas, to accomplish some unscheduled maintenance. The return flight was delayed by a small discrepancy noted during a short test flight accomplished after the completion of the deferred maintenance. After the discrepancy was repaired, the takeoff for the return flight was accomplished at 2107 CDT.

As the pilot approached his destination airport, he contacted the operator to obtain a current weather observation. The operator was reported to have gone outside to obtain an accurate weather observation and upon his return to the radio, was unable to reestablish radio contact with the airplane. A search was launched in the immediate area with no avail. The wreckage was located in an open pasture by the property owner at approximately 0700 the next morning. There were no witnesses to this accident.

Aircraft information

The airplane was not equipped with flight instruments or navigational equipment for flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A review of the airframe and engine records by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. An estimate of the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident places the airplane within its limits.

Meteorological information

Recorded weather was not available at Texhoma. The nearest National Weather Service recorded weather was from Gage, Oklahoma; Liberal and Elkhart, Kansas; and Dalhart and Amarillo, Texas. Three satellite weather pictorials prepared by the National Weather Service Office in Amarillo, Texas, are enclosed with this report depicting the weather system that transversed the area during the afternoon and early evening on the day of the accident. Witnesses near the accident site reported low ceilings with visibilities ranging from a quarter mile to three miles. A pilot at the point of departure reported that the airplane was headed "right into an anvil type cumulonimbus cloud with almost continuous lighting in progress."

Wreckage and impact information

The initial point of impact was located atop a relatively flat-topped natural mesa with a down slope to the south-southwest. The main wreckage was located in the open pasture below, approximately 75 feet below the initial point of impact. Six pieces of green colored glass identified as the navigation light lens for the right wing were found at the initial point of impact.

An 18 inch wide scar was found at the initial point of impact, on a measured magnetic heading of 216 degrees, extending for approximately 40 feet. The ground scar became wider on a measured heading of 224 degrees for an additional 105 feet where the ground scar on top of the mesa ended.

The main wreckage, consisting of the main fuselage, came to rest on a measured heading of 025 degrees, approximately 400 feet from the initial point of impact. The wings were found approximately 20 feet short of the fuselage. The engine was found approximately 350 feet beyond the main wreckage.

Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. The wing flaps were found in the retracted position.

All three propeller blades remained attached to the hub, and exhibited rotational marks and torsional twisting. The propeller, sheared at the propeller flange, was found 170 feet from the initial point of impact.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy and toxicological tests were ordered and performed. The autopsy was performed by Elizabeth Peacock, M.D, Forensic Pathologist for Potter County, at Amarillo, Texas, on June 4, 1993. Toxicological tests were negative.

Additional data

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site upon completion of the field investigation on June 4, 1993.