NTSB Factual Report

On July 24, 2018, about 0520 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N38523, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport (IPJ), Lincolnton, North Carolina. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight was filed for the flight destined for Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

A witness reported that he was sleeping when he heard a low flying airplane followed by a "thud." He drove to the airport and located the airplane in an open field, about 1/2 mile from the departure end of runway 05.

The airplane was examined at the accident site; it came to rest in a shallow impact crater in a grass field. All major components were accounted for at the scene. The wreckage path was about 170 ft long and was orientated on 085° magnetic heading. The grass surrounding the wreckage path had been blighted by fuel.

The flaps and landing gear were in the up position. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. The left wing was separated from the airframe and came to rest parallel to the wreckage. The right wing remained attached, the leading edge was crushed aft. The empennage remained attached and had impact damage to the vertical stabilizer and stabilator.

The engine remained partially attached to the airframe; it was removed and suspended from a hoist for examination. A borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed the tops of all pistons and all intake and exhaust valves exhibited normal combustion signatures. The drive train was manually rotated, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. In addition, continuity of the crankshaft to the rear gears and to the valve train was confirmed. The spark plugs showed normal wear. The dual magneto remained attached to the engine but was impact damaged. It produced a spark at three of the twelve towers. Internal visual examination did not reveal any pre-impact failures or malfunctions. The fuel injectors and oil pump were free of debris.

The three-bladed Hartzell propeller was located about 50 ft forward of the main wreckage. All three blades were bent back and exhibited chordwise scratching and leading edge gouging; one blade also exhibited S-bending.

The six-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear equipped airplane was manufactured in 1977. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540, 300-horsepower engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 20, 2018.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration third-class special issuance medical certificate was issued on June 21, 2017, with the limitations, "Holder shall possess glasses for near and intermediate vision. Not valid for any class after June 30, 2018." At that time, he reported 587 hours of total flight experience.

At 0545, the weather conditions reported at IPJ included, wind calm, visibility 1 1/4 statute miles, mist, overcast 200 ft, temperature 21°C, dew point 21°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury.