MIA95FA027

The flight was observed to fly toward the north at about 150 feet and make a left shallow wing over maneuver to reverse course. The aircraft was lost from sight behind trees and was not seen again. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered nose down in the middle of a field. The aircraft had crashed at a low speed in a near vertical descent. No evidence to indicate precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine was found. The dual student who was seated in the front seat had injuries consistent with operating the flight controls at the time of the accident. The flight instructor did not have injuries consistent with operation of the flight controls at the time of the accident.

History of flight

On November 23, 1994, about 1352 eastern standard time, a Champion 7ECA, registered to Kenneth A. Gilham II, crashed near Arcadia, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated flight instructor and private-rated dual student received fatal injuries. The flight originated from Punta Gorda, Florida, on November 23, 1994, about 1325.

A witness reported seeing the aircraft flying at about 150 feet from the south to the north. The aircraft nosed up and made a left wing over maneuver to reverse direction and was lost from sight behind trees. When the aircraft did not come into view again, the witness went toward the area and found the aircraft wreckage.

Personnel information

Federal Aviation Administration records showed the flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating, last issued on May 26, 1969. Additionally, he held a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single engine land rating, last issued on July 23, 1993.

After the accident the flight instructor was found to be in possession of the above certificates. The flight instructor also had in his possession a certificate dated July 29, 1970, for commercial pilot with the following ratings, airplane, single, multi-engine, land, sea, instrument. The Federal Aviation Administration has no record of this certificate being issued to the flight instructor and the ratings listed on the certificate were inconsistent with the manner in which FAA issues ratings. See attached copies of the certificates.

A review of the flight instructor's logbook records indicated he last totaled his flight time on May 9, 1981, and the last entry in the logbook was June 27, 1994. After the accident the flight instructor's family gave NTSB a copy of an employment application which he had completed on February 26, 1987. The flight instructor indicated on the application that he held several FAA ratings which according to FAA he does not hold or has never held. The flight instructor also reported on the application that he had 20,500 total flight hours. FAA medical records showed the pilot had about 16,000 total flight hours at the time of the accident. See attached application.

Information on the dual-student is contained in Supplement E of this report.

Aircraft information

Information on the aircraft is contained in this report.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. Additional meteorological information is contained in this report.

Wreckage and impact information

The aircraft crashed in a field located adjacent to West Farm Road, Arcadia, Florida. Examination of the crash site showed the aircraft crashed in a near vertical, nose-down attitude while on an easterly heading. After impact the aircraft bounced up and moved to the south about 20 feet. The aircraft then came to rest on the belly with the right wing down. All components of the aircraft which are necessary for flight were located on or around the main wreckage. Continuity of all flight control cables was established. Continuity of all engine control cables was established. The airframe fuel valve handle was separated by impact forces. The valve was found in the off position. Each main fuel tank had damage consistent with having fuel in it at the time of impact.

Examination of the engine showed the engine rotated normally. Continuity was established within the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, and accessory drives. The engine contained oil and the oil pump operated normally. Each cylinder produced normal compression. Each spark plug had coloring consistent with normal engine operation. Each magneto produced spark when rotated by hand. The carburetor contained uncontaminated 100LL fuel. All jets within the carburetor were unobstructed. The float operated normally and the shutoff needle valve operated normally. Examination of each muffler showed no indications of cracks or exhaust leakage. All muffler baffles were in place.

The propeller separated from the engine during initial ground impact. It was found buried 6 inches in the ground. Each blade had chordwise scratches which was consistent with rotation under power at the time of impact. The spinner was crushed and twisted consistent with rotation at the time of impact. One blade was bent in the shape of an "S".

Medical and pathological information

Post-mortem examination of the flight instructor was performed by James E. Eadens, M.D., Associate Medical Examiner, Sarasota, Florida. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt trauma injuries. There is no reported fractures of any bones in the flight instructor's hands or arms. Dr. Eadens reported the flight instructor suffered from severe atherosclerosis; however, there is no evidence of acute myocardial infarction.

Post-mortem toxicology studies on specimens obtained from the flight instructor were performed by Dr. Eadens and by Dennis V. Canfield, Ph.D., Manager Toxicology Laboratory, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These studies were negative for ethanol, carbon monoxide, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. The tests were positive for 64 mg verapamil in blood and 181 mg verapamil in liver fluid. According to the Physicians Desk Reference, verapamil is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. The flight instructor had not reported the use of this medication to the FAA.

Post-mortem examination of the dual-student was performed by Dr. Eadens. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt trauma injuries. The bones of the right lower arm, right hand, and left hand were fractured. No preexisting disease was present.

Post-mortem toxicology studies on specimens obtained from the dual student were performed by Dr. Eadens and Dr. Canfield. These studies were negative for ethanol, carbon monoxide, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. The tests were positive for caffeine and salicylate.

For additional medical and pathological information see attached Supplement Ks and toxicology reports.

Additional information

The aircraft wreckage was released on December 2, 1994, to Steve Smalley, Air and Sea Recovery, Boynton Beach, Florida.