FTW93FA244

A pilot witness observed the homebuilt airplane performing low level uncoordinated aerobatics 100-500 ft AGL. The airplane made several low passes in the vicinity of a private airport before a loss of control was observed and the airplane impacted the ground. It was last observed entering a steep right bank followed by the nose dropping below the horizon. The pilot's toxicology report revealed 0.11% ethyl alcohol in the blood.

History of flight

On August 23, 1993, at 1825 central daylight time, a Busby Celebrity home built, N2828, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Perry, Oklahoma. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

According to friends at the airport, the pilot added 5 gallons of AVGAS to fill up his 13 gallon fuel tank and proceeded to fly the airplane in the vicinity of the airport for approximately 30 minutes. Upon his return to the airport the pilot made comments regarding how well the engine was performing with the added AVGAS. His wife boarded the front seat of the tandem airplane, and the airplane departed for another local flight.

Several persons witnessed the airplane maneuvering between 100 and 500 feet above the ground in the vicinity of a golf course, a manufacturing plant, and a private airstrip. One pilot witness observed the airplane performing mild low level aerobatics in an "uncoordinated" fashion. He further reported that "these maneuvers were performed at altitudes below 1000 feet AGL, down to 100 feet AGL in dives."

After a low pass at the manufacturing plant, the airplane was reported to have overflown the private airstrip, followed by a right turn short of the departure end of the strip. The airplane was last observed entering a steep right bank followed by the nose dropping below the horizon as the airplane disappeared out of sight, immediately followed by rising smoke.

The pilot was extracted from the burning wreckage and transported to the hospital. En route to the hospital, the pilot, who remained conscious and coherent, did not report any anomalies with the engine or airframe. The pilot died the next morning at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Wreckage and impact information

Ground scars at the accident site were on a measured heading of 220 degrees. The initial ground scars were several gouges in which painted wood chips corresponding to the paint scheme of the wooden propeller were found. Immediately following the propeller slashes, two small craters were found. The propeller spinner was found in one and a portion of the lower engine cowling was found in the other one. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 280 degrees. See enclosed wreckage diagram.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was ordered but not performed due to undetermined reasons. The pilot's body was examined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 24, 1993. The toxicology report from the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner (OKCME) revealed that 0.11% Ethyl Alcohol was detected in the pilot's blood from an specimen drawn at the hospital at 2116 on the day of the accident. In the opinion of Timothy P. Rohrig, Ph.D., Chief Forensic Toxicologist for the OKCME, this would have impaired the judgement of the pilot and could have contributed to the cause of the accident.

Fire

A post impact fire consumed the wreckage. No evidence of a pre- impact fire was found during the conduct of the investigation.

Additional data

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site on August 24, 1993.