NYC96LA176

The the multi-engine airplane was observed by witnesses flying over a New Jersey airport in a northerly direction. Later, a witness north of the airport observed it flying in a southerly direction, with the landing gear extended. This witness heard the engines 'cutting in and out.' Subsequently, the airplane collided with terrain in an open field, about 3/4 of a mile north of the airport. Both engine propellers were found feathered; no fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tanks. The student pilot/owner was based in Arkansas. He had purchased the airplane at an airport in Arkansas during July 1996. The student first received dual flight instruction in 1960, and soloed during December 1993. After a 6 hour dual cross-country flight in February 1994, the student was approved for solo cross-country flights to two airports. That was the last dual instruction that he received. Between February 1994 and February 1996, the student logged over 230 hours of solo flight time, of which over 95 hours were solo cross-country to numerous airports, several over 800 miles from his base airport. The student had no record of multi-engine flight instruction, and he had not logged any multi-engine flight time.

On August 28, 1996, at 1715 eastern daylight time, a Temco D-16A, a Twin Navion, N128N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hainesport, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, witnesses reported that they observed the airplane fly over the South Jersey Regional Airport (7MY), Mount Holly, New Jersey, in a northerly direction. One witness north of 7MY observed the airplane flying in a southerly direction with the landing gear extended, and heard the engines "cutting in and out."

The airplane collided with terrain in an open field, about 3/4 mile north of 7MY. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. The landing gear had been extended, and the propellers of both engines were in the feathered position. Residual fuel was observed in the airplane's five fuel tanks.

The student pilot (SP) had based the airplane at the Heber Springs Airport, Heber Springs, Arkansas. The pilot had purchased the airplane during July 1996, in Searcy, Arkansas.

The FAA records revealed that the student pilot had passed a private pilot written examination in January 1996. The SP's log book revealed that his initial flight instruction began in 1960, and the last entry was during February 1996. From June through August 1960, the SP had received about 9 hours of dual flight instruction. The next flying occurred between October 1977, and March 1978, where the SP received another 10.5 hours of dual flight instruction.

The SP's flying resumed again in November 1993. He received 17 hours of dual flight instruction, and completed his first solo flight on December 11, 1993. He flew a 3.5 hours solo flight on December 24, 1993, and received another 3 hours of dual instruction on December 25, 1993.

His next flight occurred on February 20, 1994, when he completed a 6 hour dual instruction cross country flight. At that time the SP was signed off for solo cross country between Heber Springs and two other airports, Balder County and DeKlab, Illinois. That was the last flight instruction noted in the remarks section of the log book. The back of the log book contained four entries for solo rechecks, which extended solo privileges for 90 days each. The last extension was dated March 1995.

Between February 20, 1994, and the last entry, February 21, 1996, the SP logged over 230 hours of solo flight, of which over 95 hours were solo night cross country. Numerous flight were made to airports in DeKlab, Danville, Freeport, Metropolis, Peoria, Streater, and Vandalia, Illinois; Hobart, Indiana; Bismark, and Piedmont, Missouri; Brownsville and Houston, Texas; in addition to Batesville, Waldron and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

The pilot had no record of multi engine flight instruction received, or multi engine experience logged.