NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 30, 2011, about 1248 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310R, N1914G, operated by Miller Aviation, LLC, was destroyed from collision with trees and terrain while performing an instrument approach procedure to Pike County Airport (PBX), Pikeville, Kentucky. The certificated airline transport pilot and the sole passenger were fatally injured. The airplane departed Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport (MGY), Dayton, Ohio, about 1148. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the on-demand passenger flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135.

Voice and radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 09 instrument approach procedure at PBX. The minimum descent altitude for the approach was 1,960 feet mean sea level (msl), and the airport elevation was 1,473 feet msl.

According to an airport employee who was monitoring the airport's common traffic frequency, the pilot radioed that he was 20 miles from the airport and requested the weather conditions. The airport employee provided the Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS) weather of 1-11/2 miles visibility and 200-300 foot ceilings, but told the pilot that the weather conditions were worse than what was reported.

According to witnesses who were at a worksite 200-300 feet below the airport elevation, they heard the airplane approach, and observed it appear from beneath the clouds directly on top of and parallel to a ridgeline approximately in line with the runway 09 final approach course. The witnesses heard and saw the airplane impact several treetops, strike a large tree, then disappear from view. They each said the sound of the airplane’s engines was smooth and continuous to tree contact. They stated that the fog was “heavy” and that the clouds were at treetop level.

The last four radar plots depicted the airplane at 1,900 feet, 1,900 feet, 1,800 feet, and 1,700 feet msl, respectively. The last plot was located about ½ mile prior to the runway threshold, and aligned with the runway.

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot was co-owner of Miller Aviation. He held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multi-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on January 24, 2011. On that date, the pilot reported 19,600 total hours of flight experience. According to the operator, the pilot had 15,300 hours of flight experience in the Cessna 310.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1975, and was equipped with two Teledyne-Continental engines. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was conducted on March 29, 2011, at which time it had accumulated 15,667 total hours of operation.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1250, the weather reported at PBX included calm winds, with an overcast ceiling at 300 feet and 1 ½ miles visibility. At 1255, the weather reported included calm winds, overcast ceiling at 200 feet, and ½ mile visibility.

The terminal area forecast (TAF) around the destination airport was for IFR conditions with light drizzle and mist at the estimated time of arrival. AIRMET Sierra Update 2 was valid for IFR conditions and mountain obscuration in the area surrounding the destination airport until 1700.

The Pikeville Director of Public Safety, who responded to the airport immediately after the accident, stated that while entering an access code at an airport gate, the fog was so thick that he could not see the gate, which was 30 feet from the keypad.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

PBX was located in mountainous terrain about 5 miles north of Pikeville, Kentucky, and built atop a ridgeline in a reclaimed surface mine area. The official airport elevation was 1,473 feet. The airport was not tower-controlled, but the UNICOM frequency was monitored by an airport employee at the time of the accident. Runway 09/27 was 5,350 feet long and 100 feet wide. Runway 02/20 was 3,600 feet long and 75 feet wide and was located along the east side of the field.

WRECKAGE INFORMATION

The wreckage was examined at the site, which was located approximately 37 degrees, 33 minutes north latitude, and 82 degrees, 34 minutes west longitude, on March 31, 2011. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the scene. The first identifiable tree strikes were located 1,100 feet right of the runway centerline, and about 100 feet below the airport elevation. The wreckage path was oriented approximately 138 degrees magnetic, and pieces associated with both wings were scattered along the path. The main wreckage came to rest upright about 1,200 feet beyond the first tree strike, and 650 feet below the airport elevation.

The nose compartment, cockpit, and cabin areas were consumed by post-crash fire. Both engines and propeller systems displayed significant impact and fire damage. The empennage, vertical fin, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator were largely intact. The counterweight separated from the top of the rudder and was found 30 feet beyond the main wreckage. Control cable continuity was established from the flight control surfaces at the tail to the cockpit area. The engines and propeller systems were removed from the site and relocated to the airport for a detailed examination on April 1, 2011.

The right engine displayed significant impact and fire damage. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and continuity was established from the powertrain through the valvetrain to the accessory section. Cylinder compression was confirmed using the thumb method, and borescope examination revealed no evidence of mechanical anomaly. The magnetos were rotated by hand and spark was produced at all terminal leads.

The right engine propeller had separated from the engine at impact. All three blades showed similar twisting, bending, leading edge gouging, and chordwise scratching. The propeller spinner displayed a torsional twist.

The left engine displayed significant impact damage. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and continuity was established from the powertrain through the valvetrain to the accessory section. Cylinder compression was confirmed using the thumb method, and borescope examination revealed no evidence of mechanical anomaly. The magnetos were rotated by hand and spark was produced at all terminal leads.

The left engine propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade showed similar twisting, bending leading edge gouging, and chordwise scratching as the blades on the right propeller. The two remaining blades showed spanwise bending and smearing that obscured chordwise scratches beneath.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Office of the Associate Chief Medical Examiner, for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, performed an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was reported as the result of multiple blunt force injuries.

The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed the toxicological testing for the pilot. The following Tested-for-Drugs were detected:

>> 14.24 (ug/ml, ug/g) Acetaminophen detected in Urine - Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) - This over the counter analgesic medication was used to treat aches and pains as well as fever

>> Dextrorphan detected in Blood (Cavity) - A metabolite of dextromethorphan, with a lesser cough suppressant (antitussive) activity.

>> Dextrorphan detected in Urine

>> 0.26 (ug/ml, ug/g) Doxylamine detected in Blood (Heart) Doxylamine (NyQuil® or Unisom®, etc..) - This was a common over the counter antihistamine marketed as NyQuil® and used in the treatment of the common cold and hay fever. It was also marketed as Unisom®; a sleep aid. The range of therapeutic levels in the blood were listed as: Therapeutic Low 0.0500 ug/ml - Therapeutic High 0.1500 ug/ml. The half life was 6 to 12 hours. Warnings – "may impair mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks."

Based on the finding of cough drop wrappers in the pilot's clothing, this pilot may have had an upper respiratory condition but it could not be determined if the condition caused any hazard to flight safety.

Based on toxicological analysis, the pilot used a cold medication and had high therapeutic levels of doxylamine in the heart blood; this medication can cause impairment and pose a hazard to flight safety.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 9 approach at PBX. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 9 approach was a non-precision approach with a minimum descent altitude of 1,960 feet, which was 506 feet above the runway touchdown zone elevation.

The ILS RWY 27 approach at PBX was also available to the pilot at the time of the accident. The ILS RWY 27 approach was a precision approach with a decision height of 1,666 feet, which was 200 feet above the touchdown zone elevation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's flight below the published minimum descent altitude in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of nighttime cold medication at doses above therapeutic levels that may have resulted in impairment and posed a hazard to flight safety.