LAX03FA013

The airplane crashed into rising terrain after departure from an uncontrolled public airport. The runway used by the pilot is 4,600 feet long and has a 1.8 percent upward gradient. The density altitude was 4,937 feet msl, and a slight quartering tailwind existed at the time. The pilot held in position, powered up the engines, and started his departure. The airplane was observed using most of the runway length before rotation and then it assumed a higher than normal pitch attitude in the initial climb. Witnesses watched the airplane turn left following the route of a canyon and into rising terrain. The reciprocal runway departs towards decreasing elevations. In the area of the crash, two witnesses reported the airplane was at a low altitude, nose high, and wallowing just before it descended into a drainage area 0.69 miles from the runway. Post accident examination of the engines revealed worn camshaft lobes and tappets, which would negatively affect the ability of the engines to produce full rated power. One engine exhibited severe rust on the entire crankshaft. The accident site was located in a canyon, and the wreckage and ground scars was confined to an area about the diameter of the wing span. Major portions of the airframe and most of the engine accessories were consumed by a post accident fire. Examination of the wreckage established that all major components of the airframe and powerplants were at the site.

History of flight

On October 20, 2002, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 601, N700US, collided with terrain after departure from Agua Dulce, California. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The private rated pilot, a passenger who held a student certificate, and rear seated passenger were all fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating and destined for Bullhead City, Arizona.

According to witnesses, the airplane had landed, possibly to pickup a passenger, parked, and remained on the ground for a short period of time. Subsequently, the airplane was seen to taxi out for departure on runway 04. The pilot held in position, powered up the engines, and started his departure. The airplane was observed using most of the runway, rotate, and assume a higher than normal attitude. Witnesses watched the airplane turn left following the route of a canyon and rising terrain. In the area of the crash, two witnesses reported the airplane was low, nose high, and wallowing just before it descended into a drainage area 0.69 miles from the runway.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land and instruments limited to single engine land. The pilot's last documented third-class flight physical occurred on June 13, 2001. According to a recovered damaged flight logbook, the pilot had accrued about 685 total flight hours. The accident airplane first appeared in the pilot's logbook about March 1, 2001, about 500 hours into his total flight time.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, on July 28, 1999, the pilot obtained a student pilot certificate with the issuance of a third-class flight physical examination. On April 19, 2000, he applied for, and received, a private pilot certificate, having accrued 265 flight hours, with 240 hours of dual flight instruction and 25 hours of solo time.

On August 4, 2000, the pilot applied for an airplane multiengine rating. He was reporting 315 total hours, with 265 hours of dual flight instruction and 25 hours in multiengine type. The pilot failed the check ride and was reexamined and issued the multiengine rating on August 5, 2000.

On October 17, 2001, the pilot applied for an instrument rating and was reporting 639 total hours and 517 dual flight hours. The pilot failed the check ride and was reexamined and issued the rating for single engine only on October 18, 2001.

On October 20, 2001, the pilot applied for a multiengine instrument rating and was reporting a total flight time of 640 hours with 522 dual instruction on the application. The pilot failed the flight test.

Student pilot passenger

The right front seat passenger obtained a student pilot certificate on October 10, 2001.

Aircraft information

An annual inspection was performed by Able Air Corporation and repairs were finalized on December 6, 2001. The airplane was signed off as unairworthy, with a list of discrepancies given to the pilot/owner. Subsequently, another maintenance organization at Long Beach, California, approved the airplane for return to service on December 12, 2001, at 14,235 total flight hours.

The most recent maintenance performed on the airplane was at Lloyd's Aircraft Maintenance, Bakersfield, California. On September 25, 2002, Lloyd's invoice 9472 documents the adjusting of engine operating limits, at the request of the customer, about 29 hours since the last annual inspection.

The engines's turbocharger exhaust system is designed to maintain sea level manifold pressure (MAP) to a given altitude. It does not provide MAP boost to the engines. According to the Aerostar model 601 flight manual, takeoff power is at 2,575 rpm and 29.5 inches of MAP.

The pilot's home base airport manager was asked about fueling record information and an unidentified fuel truck observed at the pilot's hangar a few days before the accident. The manager stated that the pilot had made allegations to the Los Angeles Department of Weights and Measures that employees of Raytheon Aircraft Company, Van Nuys, California, were manipulating the fuel log and overcharging on fuel quantity, and consequently on price.

Meteorological information

The nearest official weather reporting site was Palmdale, California, 14 miles northeast of the accident site. At 1253, Palmdale was reporting: variable wind at 4 knots; visibility 10 miles; temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 37 degrees Fahrenheit; and the altimeter was 29.93 inHg.

According to witnesses, the active runway was 04 as determined by the windsock and traffic. About the time of the accident airplane's departure, the wind had started to favor runway 22. A witness estimated the temperature to be about 85 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the accident.

A pilot landed on runway 04 about 15 minutes behind the accident airplane. He reported a direct headwind with the windsock deflected at 45 degrees. The witness/pilot also observed the accident departure and reported that the wind was now calm, and the engines were in sync and sounded very smooth. He was concerned about the rate of acceleration.

According to a Safety Board density altitude computer program, using the witness estimate of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the airport elevation, and the Palmdale altimeter of 29.93 inHg, the density altitude was calculated at 4,937 feet mean sea level (msl).

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage site was located in a canyon/wash, and was confined to about the diameter of the wing span. Major portions of the airframe were consumed by a post accident fire. A Safety Board examination of the remains provided indicators that all major components of the airframe and powerplants were at the site. Portions of the exterior skins revealed the airplane to be stripped of paint and exterior placarding.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure storage area for detailed examination by the Safety Board and parties to the investigation. The airframe was examined for control continuity where possible. The braking and parking brake system was examined. The landing gear was found in the retracted position with the flaps up. Trim tab positions were not recovered.

The Safety Board witnessed the disassembly of both engines. Extensive rust was found on the right engine crankshaft. The interior of both crankshafts were heavily laden with sludge, as were portions of the propeller shafts. The camshafts in both engines displayed worn lobes with spalling type damage to the tappets. The magnetos were fire damaged, as were all other accessories.

Medical and pathological information

On October 21, 2002, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot and student rated passenger. During the course of the procedure samples were obtained for toxicological analysis by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results of the analysis were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol for both pilots. The analysis for the private pilot operator was positive for Butalbital, which was detected in the blood at 0.796 (ug/ml, ug/g) and 2.214 (ug/ml,ug/g) in the liver. Fluoxetine was detected in kidney and liver samples. Norfluoxetine was detected in kidney and liver samples.

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner also performed a toxicological analysis. The analysis of Femoral blood samples was positive for Fluoxetine at 0.48 (ug/ml) and Norfluoxetine at 0.50 (ug/ml). Blood samples obtained from the heart were positive for Butalbital at 0.72 (ug/ml), Fluoxetine at 1.2 (ug/ml), and Norfluoxetine at 0.76 (ug/ml).

Pilot medical records were obtained from the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Oklahoma City. Examination of the rec