HUFFMAN, TX, USA
N3539K
PIPER PA-31-350
THE PILOT WAS BEING VECTORED AROUND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE LAST RADIO CONTACT THE PILOT WAS ISSUED A VECTOR TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THIS TURN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DESCENDED FROM THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE OF 6,000 FT MSL TO THE GROUND IN APPROXIMATELY 40 SECONDS. THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY WAS IN CLEAR WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME AND HAD NOT ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WEATHER DURING THE ENTIRE FLIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT MENTION ANY PROBLEMS DURING THE RADIO TRAMSNISSION WITH ATC. IMPACT IN A SHALLOW LAKE OCCURRED WHILE IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN FEATHERED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT WHILE THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS SET IN THE CRUISE RANGE. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE OR PROPELLER WAS DISCOVERED DURING POST ACCIDENT TESTS. PATH AND TOXI EXAMS REVEALED NO PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS. PLTS FLT TIME RECORDS NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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