MIA94LA178

The flight was observed on the left downwind leg to runway 22 by a witness. The aircraft rolled left and right about 30 degrees each way and then the wings leveled. The aircraft appeared to be at a low airspeed and mushing. The aircraft's pitch was oscillating up and down about 10 to 15 degrees. The aircraft's right wing dropped suddenly and the aircraft's nose pitched down. The aircraft continued in this attitude until tree and ground impact. The engine appeared to operate at full power until impact. Post crash examination of the wreckage indicated all components of the aircraft were located on or around the main wreckage and continuity within the flight control system was established. This was the third flight of the aircraft and the aircraft had accumulated 1 hour of flight time.

History of flight

On July 12, 1994, about 1226 eastern daylight time, a Hickey Windrose, N20674, registered to James R. Hickey, crashed while on the downwind leg to runway 22 at Williston Municipal Airport, Williston, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the private-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated at Williston, Florida, just minutes before the accident.

A witness stated that he observed the aircraft on the downwind leg at about 500 feet agl. The aircraft rolled to the right about 30 degrees and then rolled to the left about 30 degrees. The aircraft's wings then leveled. The aircraft "seemed to be flying slow, mushy, trying to climb, but the nose and tail were up and down maybe 10-15 degrees." The aircraft's right wing went down and the aircraft went into a dive inverted. The engine was operating normally at full power.

Personnel information

Information on the pilot is contained in this report under Pilot Information.

Aircraft information

Information on the aircraft is include in this report under Aircraft Information.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Additional meteorological information is contained in this report under Weather Information.

Wreckage and impact information

On-scene examination of the aircraft wreckage was performed by a FAA inspector. The aircraft crashed into trees about 1/4 mile to the southeast of the approach end of runway 22 at Williston Municipal Airport. The aircraft impacted the trees in a right 90-degree bank and a 45-degree nose down attitude. The aircraft impacted nose first and the wing separated from the fuselage on impact.

Examination of the crash site indicated all components of the aircraft necessary for flight were located on or around the main wreckage of the aircraft. Continuity of all flight control systems was confirmed. The only separation point within the flight control systems was the left aileron push-pull rod to aileron bellcrank connection. The rod end was found to be distorted from impact forces and separated.

Medical and pathological information

Post-mortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. William F. Hamilton, M.D., Medical Examiner, Gainesville, Florida. The probable cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt traumatic injuries. Toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Lessburg, Florida. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol, basis, acidic, and neutral drugs. For additional medical and pathological information see Supplement K and attachments to this report.