SEA03LA170

A witness who was staying in a campground in close proximity to the accident site reported hearing a small plane flying in a southerly direction, and as it passed overhead "the engine missed once, and then caught again and continued running as the plane continue south." As the plane continued south the witness stated that he did not hear any additional problems, but the engine appeard to be running somewhat roughly, and as the plane continued further south he assumed everything was ok. Several minutes later he heard sirens moving south. Examination of the wreckage revealed the airplane went down steeply between two trees, there was no fire, and there was a significant fuel spill. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. All components necessary for flight were present at the crash site. An autopsy on the pilot revealed artherosclerosis of coronary arteries, focal, moderate to marked, and atherosclerosis of aorta, mild. "Toxicological tests indicated nordiazepam (0.024 ug/ml) detected in blood, and nordiazpam, oxazepam, and temazepam detected in urine."

On August 16, 2003, approximately 1545 Pacific daylight time, an Avid Magnum experimental aircraft, N2054F, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain while maneuvering near the Ranger Creek Airport, Greenwater, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed the Pierce County Airport (Thun Field), Puyallup, Washington, at 1515.

According to a witness who was staying in a campground in close proximity to the accident site, he heard a small plane flying in a southerly direction over the campground, and as it passed overhead "the engine missed once, and then caught again and continued running as the plane continued south." The witness further reported that he heard the plane continuing on and did not hear any additional problems, but "[the] engine appeared to be running somewhat roughly." The witness stated that he looked up to see if he could see the plane, but tree cover was too thick. The witness further stated "the engine continued to run as the plane continued south, and I assumed everything was ok. Several minutes later I heard sirens moving south."

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported the airplane went down steeply between two trees. The airplane's propeller splintered, and while there was no fire, there was a significant fuel spill.

A post accident examination of the aircraft was conducted by an NTSB Air Safety Investigator. The results of the investigator's examination revealed continuity to all flight controls. Engine rotation was confirmed to the accessory section, compression was developed in each cylinder, and the ignition harness was intact. The mixture, carburetor heat, and throttle controls were in the full forward position. Additionally, one fuel tank was breached with no fuel detected, while there was fuel present in the second fuel tank. The investigator also reported the carburetor had been torn off its mounting flange and was not located.

An autopsy was performed by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, Tacoma, Washington, on August 18, 2003. The cause of the pilot's death was determined to be from "multiple injuries". Included in the Summary Of Case Findings was artherosclerosis of coronary arteries, focal, moderate to marked, and atherosclerosis of aorta, mild. A toxicological report from the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Nordiazepam 0.024 (ug/ml, ug/g) detected in blood; Nordiazpam 0.106 (ug/ml, ug/g) detected in urine; Oxazepam 0.134 (ug/ml ug/g) detected in urine; Temazepam 0.223 (ug/ml ug/g) detected in urine.