MIA99FA208

The pilot stated that they flew to Hilliard Airpark to practice soft field techniques, and after the initial soft field landing they taxied the length of the field and discussed the takeoff, density altitude, obstacles on the climbout, takeoff weight, and selected a point on the field beyond which point they would initiate a rejected takeoff if necessary. The pilot further stated that after a brief run-up, they initiated the takeoff and climbout with the engine developing normal power, but as they approached the trees on climbout, he relinquished control to the flight instructor-rated passenger when it became apparent they were not going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that the rated passenger assumed control and tried to turn the airplane slightly to the left to an area where the trees were shorter and offered better clearance, but the right wing hit a tree and the aircraft crashed nose down and came to rest inverted. The airport had been notamed closed, and the runway marked with an X, indicating that it was closed. The airport and runway closures were due to tree growth off the end of the runways, along the flight path. The pilot did not give any indication that he checked the notams, or that he was aware that the airport was closed.

History of flight

On August 1, 1999, about 1125 eastern daylight time, a Gulfstream American AA-1B, N9888L, registered to a private owner, operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff from Hilliard Airpark, Hilliard, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private-rated pilot sustained serious injuries, and the flight instructor-rated passenger received fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that they flew to Hilliard Airpark to practice soft field techniques, and after the initial soft field landing they taxied the length of the field and discussed the takeoff, density altitude, obstacles on the climbout, takeoff weight, and selected a point on the field beyond which point they would initiate a rejected takeoff if necessary. The pilot further stated that after a brief run-up, they initiated the takeoff and climbout with the engine developing normal power, but as they approached the trees on climbout he relinquished control to the flight instructor-rated passenger when it became apparent they were not going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that the rated passenger assumed control and tried to turn the airplane slightly to the left to an area where the trees were shorter and offered better clearance, but the right wing hit a tree and the aircraft crashed nose down and came to rest inverted. The pilot also stated he was conscious during the whole ordeal, and subsequently crawled for help.

Personnel information

The pilot held an FAA private pilot certificate, issued on December 2, 1997. He also held an FAA third class medical certificate issued on September 2, 1997, with no limitations.

The pilot's logbook showed one flight each month in 1999 except for April and May, when the logbook showed three and two flights respectively. The last flight logged in the pilot's logbook prior to the accident was in July 1999. Additional information on the pilot is contained in this report under First Pilot Information and in attachments to this report.

The rated-passenger held an FAA commercial pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land instrument ratings, as well as a flight instructor certificate with airplane single and multiengine land instrument ratings. FAA records showed that the flight instructor-rated passenger's last medical certificate was a Class III, issued in October 1996.

Aircraft information

Information pertaining to N9888L is contained in this report on page 2, under Aircraft Information.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. For additional information, please see Weather Information on page 3 of this report.

Airport information

On January 13, 1999, the State of Florida Department of Transportation conducted an inspection of Hilliard Airpark, and determined that the airport did not meet the minimum State standards for a public airport. The inspection report stated that a public airport must have at least 2,000 feet of usable runway, and stated that in order to meet this requirement the trees at the ends of the runways at Hilliard Airpark must be cut. The State also requested that the Airport Manager issue a notam on the status of the airport. Notam 02/003 was subsequently issued closing the airport, and at the time of the accident the notam was still in effect. In addition, at the time of the accident, runways 36 and 18 were marked with tires, painted white, and arranged to depict an X pattern at the approach/departure ends. The grass on the runway, as well as in the area around the X pattern had been freshly mowed.

Wreckage and inpact information

The aircraft crashed about 700 feet off the departure end of runway 36 that it had departed from, slightly to the left of the runway centerline in a 358 degree magnetic bearing, in a lightly wooded area. The wreckage debris field began at about 500-feet from the end of the runway, at the beginning of the wooded area, and extended about 200 feet in a swath centered along the 358 degree magnetic bearing. Several trees along the debris swath were freshly broken, and others exhibited fresh angled cuts, with dark colored marks that were consistent with the paint color on the propeller.

Examination of the aircraft showed that the main wreckage of the aircraft came to rest inverted, with the engine and propeller still attached to the airframe. The left wing was broken at the root but remained partially attached to the main wreckage at the aft spar. The right wing and right horizontal stabilizer showed impact damage on their leading edges, and were completely sheared off at the roots, and lay detached close to the main wreckage. The fuel tanks were ruptured at the wing roots, but there was no fuel or smell of fuel in the area of the main wreckage. There also were no indications of fire. The empennage was bent slightly to the left, with compression buckling on the left side of the fuselage forward of the empennage. All components of the aircraft which were necessary to sustain flight were located in the immediate area of the main wreckage.

Examination of the flight control system revealed continuity of the system, which was confirmed by tracing the cables to the flight control surfaces, or to the point where the control surfaces were sheared from the main fuselage. There were no separation points in the cables, other than at the separation point of the right wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer from the fuselage.

Both seats were in place in the aft most position, and the flight instructor-rated passenger's seatbelt and shoulder harness were attached. The pilot's seatbelt and shoulder harness were unfastened and there were drag marks leading from the first pilot's cockpit position along the ground to a nearby house.

Examination of the propeller and spinner after recovery from the accident site showed that there was damage consistent with engine rotation at the time of impact. The propeller blades had some minor bending and chordwise scratching. The spinner was compressed and exhibited rotational crushing.

Examination of the engine assembly, and accessories were performed after recovery from the accident site. The engine was rotated by hand, and continuity was established with the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, and accessory drive gears. All cylinders produced compression.

No obstructions were found in the engine induction system. The cockpit carburetor heat control was found in the full on position, but the valve in the induction air box was in the cold position, and the control cables were distorted.

The carburetor float and needle valve operated normally and all passages within the carburetor were clear, clean and unobstructed. The inlet and carburetor screens were clean and clear of obstructions. The carburetor, engine driven pump, boost pump and system hoses contained residual fuel, and the pump activated when operated by hand. The mixture control was set to rich, and the path from the mixture control to the fuel nozzles were unobstructed.

The magneto switch was in the both position, and the switch operated normally. Both magnetos were examined, and fired on all points. The magneto timing was checked, and found to perform to specifications. Each spark plug exhibited some wear and had combustion coloration varying from medium to dark brown, consistent with normal engine operation. In addition, the exhaust system was unobstructed, and showed no signs of leakage.

Medical and pathological information

Postmortem examination of the flight instructor-rated passenger was done by Dr. Margarita Arruza, M. D., Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the Medical Examiner, Jacksonville, Florida, on August 2, 1999. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt force trauma.