NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On May 21, 1993, about 1346 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4931D, registered to Locair, Inc., experienced in-flight loss of control while maneuvering and crashed near Deerfield Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial photography flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and the commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated about 1315 from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

According to the operator of the airplane, the fuel tanks were filled and the airplane was then flown on one flight which lasted 1.25 hours. Fuel servicing was not performed after the flight landed or before the accident flight departed. No determination could be made as to the amount of fuel on board when the accident flight departed.

According to the pilot's father, the purpose of the flight was to photograph a golf course. He further stated that the airplane was about 100 feet above ground level when he observed the airplane bank to the left. The nose of the airplane then pitched down vertically and the airplane impacted the ground. A fire and explosion occurred shortly after the airplane crashed. One of the witnesses who was inside a building across from the accident site reported hearing the engine sputtering before the airplane crashed. None of the other witnesses who were outside reported hearing any unusual noises from the engine.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Information pertaining to the pilot-in-command is contained in NTSB Form 6120.4.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Information pertaining to the airplane is contained in NTSB Form 6120.4.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Information pertaining to the weather conditions is contained in NTSB Form 6120.4.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground nose and left wing low. The wreckage was recovered and taken to a facility for further examination. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of aileron, rudder, or elevator flight control preimpact failure or malfunction. The engine was removed from the airframe and taken to another facility for examination. The propeller was removed and the crankshaft flange, which was impact damaged, was cut to facilitate turning the crankshaft by hand. Rotation of the crankshaft revealed crankshaft and camshaft continuity and continuity to all gears in the accessory section, and thumb compression and suction in all cylinders. Several of the ignition leads were damaged by impact and fire and the carburetor was nearly separated from the engine due to impact damage. The throttle control assembly sustained impact damage. Internal examination of the carburetor revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The dual magneto was separated from the engine due to impact damage, therefore, magneto to engine timing could not be determined. The magneto was taken to a facility for examination and bench testing. A new cap with the accident capacitors installed was installed on the magneto which was then placed on a test bench. The magneto was then operated to 2,200 rpm and spark was produced from all towers of the distributor block. The accident capacitors were then bench tested which revealed that they did not meet specification in some parameters. The capacitors were then sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for further examination. A copy of the report is an attachment to this report. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL

Postmortem examinations of the pilot and passengers were conducted by Daniel M. Selove, M.D., Associate Medical Examiner of the Broward County Medical Examiners Office, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cause of death for all occupants was listed as multiple injuries due to blunt trauma.

Toxicological testing of specimens of the pilot were performed by the Office of the Broward Medical Examiner and the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute. According to the Broward Medical Examiners Toxicological Report, testing was negative for drugs and ethanol. Carbon monoxide was listed as 7 percent. Nicotine was listed as positive. According to the FAA's toxicological report, testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and volatiles. Nicotine metabolite was detected in the urine.

FIRE

According to the Fire Department, they received the call at 1348, and the first unit arrived at 1354. At that time, it was reported that there was a fire around the engine and passenger compartment. The fire was extinguished at 1404 using combination foam/water. The report states that the fire was caused by fuel which contacted a hot source in the engine compartment area.

ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

Weight and balance calculations were not performed due to the unknown weights of the passengers and the unknown amount of fuel on board at the time of departure.

The wreckage was released to Mr. Charles G. Maynard on September 21, 1993.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO). THE LOW ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE AERODYNAMIC STALL WAS A FACTOR.