Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from trees.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A pilot-rated witness stated that he saw the airplane maneuvering at about 300 feet, when he heard the engine sound stop. He then heard the airplane impact trees and then the ground. The airplane and engine were examined and no preimpact failure or malfuntion was noted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 28, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Nan Chang/China CJ6A, N3104U, experimental airplane registered to Planes And Things Inc., crashed 13 miles south west of Myrtle Beach Airport near Planterville, South Carolina, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The instrument-rated private pilot and one passenger received fatal injuries. The flight had originated from the Myrtle Beach Airport, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, shortly before the crash. A pilot-rated witness stated that he saw the airplane maneuvering at about 300 feet, when he heard the engine sound stop, and then heard the airplane impact the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene and reported all flight controls were present and all control failures were consistent with overload. The engine was removed and examined in a local repair facility. Crankshaft, cam shaft, and valve train continuity was established. The right magneto and carburetor were destroyed. The left magneto exhibited signs of normal wear. -