NYC07FA052

While receiving vectors for an instrument approach, the pilot had difficulty maintaining his assigned heading and altitude. The air traffic controller issued numerous vectors to the pilot to assist him on the approach, and instructed him to "check [his] altitude," when he observed the airplane was 400 feet too low. Witnesses observed the airplane emerge from the base of a cloud deck, in a nose-dive, then break apart prior to impacting the ground. An examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Sections of the left wing exhibited upward loading. The pilot reported 465 hours of total flight experience, and 7.8 hours of total actual instrument experience. The pilot's most recent actual instrument experience was 1 hour, recorded 3 months prior to the accident.

History of flight

On December 31, 2006, at 1124 eastern standard time, a Cessna TR182, N7090S, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Charlotte, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Dare County Regional Airport (MQI), Manteo, North Carolina, and was destined for Shelby Municipal Airport (EHO), Shelby, North Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to air traffic control information provided by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot checked in with Charlotte Approach Control at 1057, at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The controller asked the pilot what type of approach he wanted at Shelby, and if he had the current weather. The pilot responded, "ah we do the gps rnav rnav five," and stated he did not have the current weather. The pilot was then instructed to descend to 5,000 feet and to inform the controller when he had the weather. The pilot acknowledged the transmission, and shortly thereafter was instructed to fly a heading of 250 degrees. The controller asked the pilot whether he wanted vectors for the approach, and the pilot responded, "ah skylane nine zero sierra we would like to take some vectors to help."

At 1109, the controller stated, "november nine zero sierra say ah heading." The pilot responded, "ah my heading is way off I'm banking back I am now tracking three oh five trying to get back." The controller instructed the pilot to "turn left, heading two five zero." The pilot acknowledged the instruction; however, he did not turn the airplane to the assigned heading. The controller subsequently issued additional vectors to assist the pilot and instructed him to "check [his] altitude," when he observed the airplane 400 feet too low. After observing the airplane continuing to the north, at 1116, the controller asked if the pilot was "doing alright," and the pilot responded, "I'm struggling a little."

Over the next 60 seconds, the airplane continued its right turn, heading to the south, and the controller issued several vectors to the pilot to assist him in turning left, to a westbound heading. At 1118, the controller informed the pilot that he appeared to be correcting, and the airplane appeared to be at the correct altitude. One minute later, the controller informed the pilot that he was again drifting to the southwest, and was issued a heading of 280 degrees. The pilot acknowledged the transmission, and at 1122, the controller issued another vector of 270 degrees. The pilot again acknowledged the transmission, and no further transmissions were received from the airplane.

A witness, who first heard the airplane as he was standing on his back porch, stated that it sounded as if it was "going up and down, searching for altitude." The airplane then appeared through the cloud deck, in a "nose-dive," at an approximate 80-degree nose-down attitude. The witness observed the right wing separate from the airplane as it continued to travel downward at a high rate of speed. The airplane then disappeared behind trees, and shortly afterwards the witness heard the sound of an impact.

A second witness also heard the airplane before he observed it. He stated that he heard the airplane's engine "sound loud one second and then cut out the next." This pattern repeated several times, before the witness heard a loud "bang," and observed parts of the airplane "falling from the air." The airplane continued downward until it impacted the ground in the backyard of a residence.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued on April 14, 2006. At that time, the pilot reported 425 total hours of flight experience.

An examination of the pilot's logbook revealed entries from January 2, 1997, to December 18, 2006. During that time, the pilot recorded 465 hours of total flight experience, and 7.8 hours of total actual instrument experience. The pilot's most recent actual instrument experience was 1 hour, recorded on September 9, 2006.

According to the logbook, the pilot received his instrument rating on September 19, 2005. He accumulated 3 hours of actual instrument experience since that date.

Aircraft information

An examination of the airplane and engine logbooks revealed the most recent annual inspection was performed on May 20, 2006, with no anomalies noted.

Meteorological information

The closest weather reporting station to the accident site was at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina, about 2 miles to the southwest. The weather, reported at 1100, included winds from 040 degrees at 4 knots, 3/4 mile visibility with rain and mist, a broken cloud layer at 500 feet, an overcast cloud layer at 1,200 feet, temperature 11 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 10 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.31 inches of mercury.

On December 31, 2006, at 0810, the pilot contacted the Raleigh Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), Raleigh, North Carolina, to obtain current weather for a flight from MQI to EHO. He also filed an IFR flight plan for the flight.

According to a transcript, the AFSS specialist advised the cloud conditions would become scattered to overcast en route, at 3,000 to 4,000 feet, with light rain and drizzle. The weather conditions were forecasted to be IFR near the destination airport, with a cloud layer of 1,800 feet overcast, two miles of visibility and mist. An AIRMET for occasional IFR conditions was in effect at the time of the briefing, for the destination area. The briefer stated that the AIRMET would probably extend eastward to cover central North Carolina. The briefer also stated that additional AIRMETS would be issued for turbulence below 12,000 feet in response to a low pressure system in the central part of the country, and fronts extended south and east of the area.

At the time of the briefing, the departure airport reported 10 miles visibility, with a broken cloud ceiling at 5,000 feet. The forecast for eastern North Carolina included a broken cloud layer at 4,000 to 5,000 feet. For the middle of the state, occasional light rain was forecasted with a cloud layer at 2,500 feet. The forecasted weather for the destination area included overcast clouds at 4,000 to 5,000 feet, with occasional visibility 3 to 5 miles in light rain and mist. The forecast included continuing IFR conditions and a chance of thunderstorms.

A review of flight service station data revealed no record of the pilot requesting any in-flight weather information.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane impacted a residential area, and the debris field extended into several backyards over a 1-block area. The initial point where wreckage was observed was along a road where the left wingtip and left wing came to rest. In a front yard adjacent to the road, the left aileron and a portion of the left elevator were also observed. The wreckage path continued over several yards, oriented on a heading of 280 degrees. Located along the wreckage path was the roof, pilot-side door, right aileron, and elevator.

Approximately 250 feet from where the left wing was observed, the airplane impacted power lines in the backyard of a residence. The wreckage path continued 35 feet from the power lines, to a 12-foot long and 2-foot deep crater. Approximately 12 feet from the crater, the main wreckage impacted the base of a tree. The main wreckage included the cockpit area, fuselage area, right wing, a portion of the empennage, and one propeller blade. On the other side of the tree, in another backyard, additional fragmented fuselage and cabin sections were noted, as well as a second propell