NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 10, 1995, about 0820 eastern daylight time, N5425V, a Piper L-21-A operated by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office crashed in Lorida, Florida, while on a public-use law enforcement flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and aerial observer received fatal injuries. The flight had originated about 20 minutes earlier.

The airplane was flying low over trees attempting to spot a suspect escaping on foot. Witnesses on the ground observed the airplane bank rapidly to the right, pitch down and strike trees. The airplane then hit a tree and the ground near the suspect. Some of the witnesses stated they heard the engine noise decrease just prior to impact.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION Additional pilot information is located in the pilot information portion of this report.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION N5425V was originally a military L-21A, airplane that subsequently was civilian registered and was obtained by the Highlands County Sheriffs' Office through a court order. The airplane and engine records were not obtained and the Sheriffs' Office started a set of logbooks in 1993. Additional aircraft information in located in this report.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Witnesses in the area all stated the weather was clear and visibility was good. The closest weather reporting station was in Bartow, Florida and the weather observation data for Bartow is located in this report.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The fuselage section of N5425V was found laying on the ground slightly nose down in a wooded area with the right wing still partially attached to the wing attach fittings. The left wing was separated from the airplane at the wing attach fittings and was crushed and suspended in a tree. Flight control continuity for all flight controls was established with only the left aileron control cables exhibiting failure signatures consistent with overload. The propeller was partially buried in the soft earth. When the propeller was removed both blades exhibited chordwise scratching, and leading edge damage, One blade exhibited some curling.

The engine was removed and examined at the local airport. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity was established. The sparkplugs were examined and exhibited deposits associated with normal operation. The carburetor was impact damaged and was partially disassembled. No failures or malfunctions were noted during disassembly. The magnetos were transported to a maintenance facility for examination. Both magnetos were placed on a test bench and all leads exhibited adequate and sequential sparks when rotated.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted on July 11, 1995 by Dr. Alexander Melamud, of District 10 of the State Medical Examiners Office. Dr Melamud reported the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injures and with heart and aortic lacerations. Toxicological examination of the pilot was negative for alcohol,and basic and acetic drugs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage of N5425V was released to Mr. George Kirchner representing the Highlands County Sheriffs' Office on July 11, 1995.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED.