Plane Crash Reports 2003

2003 Plane Crash Report Result

Title: PIPER PA-30, N9YB, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN

Report Date: 03/15

Plane Crash Problem: On February 21, 2003, at 1757 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-30, N9YB, was destroyed when it impacted in a nose down attitude on level terrain near Nipomo, California. The airline transport pilot (ATP)/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The ATP pilot, and a passenger, who held a private pilot certificate, were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area early evening flight that departed the Santa Maria Airport (SMX), Santa Maria, California, about 1740. No flight plan had been filed. According to the spouse of the private pilot, no mention was made to her of a flight when he departed the house about 1700 for the airport. His intent was to work in his hangar and come home for dinner. The spouse also stated that her husband did not call her from the airport to tell her there had been a change of plans and he was going to go flying. She stated that he and the owner of the airplane were flying acquaintances but did not spend a lot of time together. According to tower personnel at SMX, other than the initial call for takeoff, they were not in communication with the accident airplane. A witness on the ground, about 1/4 mile away, stated that he was working a field when he saw an airplane in a spinning descent out of the corner of his eye. When he looked at the airplane he saw it make two more tight turns, and then dropped out of his line of sight. He then saw a cloud of dust. The accident site was located approximately 8 miles from SMX on the extended centerline of runway 30. The airplane came to rest on a 040-degree magnetic heading. The first identified point of contact (IPC) was the right engine that was completely buried in the ground. Approximately 6 inches of a propeller blade, and a portion of the oil cooler were exposed. There was no debris path. The cockpit instruments were adjacent to the right engine. The left engine, which was completely buried in the ground, was found on the other side of the cockpit instruments. The fuselage of the airplane came to rest about 5 feet from the IPC. Both wings and the tail section remained attached to the airplane structure. The airplane was recovered by Aircraft Recovery Services, Littlerock, California, on February 23, 2003, and moved to the owner's hangar at SMX for the airplane and engine inspection. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the wings and tail section. Teardowns were conducted on both engines. No discrepancies were noted with either engine.

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