N16TGGauthier Ted RV-6 · 2003

On November 5, 2021, about 0937 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Van’s RV-6 airplane, N16TG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Harrison, Michigan. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

ADS-B data indicated that the airplane departed runway 27L at Oakland International Airport (PTK), Pontiac, Michigan at 0846. After departure the airplane made a climbing right turn and flew northwest for about 12 nm, then turned north for about 5 nm, then back to a northwest heading. The airplane reached a cruise altitude of about 3,000 ft mean sea level and remained on the northwest heading until track data was lost about 0905. The last ADS-B position was about 56 nm and 143° from the accident site. Discrete radar beacon returns showed that the airplane continued a straight-line course for another 60 nm after the loss of ADS-B data. The radar data showed that the airplane was in straight and level flight before the end of the data. The accident site was located about 1 nm south of the approach end of runway 36 at the Clare County Airport (80D), Harrison, Michigan.

The pilot was in communication with air traffic control facilities during the flight, having requested and received flight-following after his departure from PTK. Air traffic control did not receive any distress calls from the pilot.

Figure 1. Plot of ADS-B track data for the entire flight.

Figure 2. Plot of the final portion of the accident flight.

The airplane impacted the back yard of a residence. Impact signatures indicated that the airplane struck the ground about 45º nose low. The initial impact point was located directly beneath the airplane. The airplane remained predominately intact with all major airframe components still connected. The engine was partially attached to the fuselage. The three-blade wood core propeller was attached to the engine. One blade was broken off near the blade root. None of the propeller blades were splintered and they were predominately intact, consistent with low or no engine power at impact.

Figure 3. Airplane at accident scene.

The engine’s crankshaft could be rotated using the propeller. Compression and suction were verified on all cylinders during engine rotation. Accessory gear and camshaft continuity was verified. The engine’s carburetor was partially disassembled, and no anomalies were noted.

The engine was equipped with dual electronic ignition systems. One ignition system was damaged due to impact forces and could not be tested. This system relied on airplane electrical power for all operation. The second ignition system utilized airplane electrical power for starting and low (idle) power running and had an internal alternator to support ignition at higher engine rpm. The unit was designed to automatically switch from airplane electrical power to the internal alternator as necessary during operation and could maintain engine ignition if airplane electrical power was interrupted. Functional testing of the ignition was performed and no preimpact anomalies were detected.

The airplane was equipped with a GRT Avionics MX100-01, and a Horizon EFIS HX MFD-03- 070801. Both units were removed from the airplane for possible download of data. Subsequent research revealed that neither unit was cable of storing data internally.

Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

No manufacturer published glide ratio data were found for the accident model airplane; however, builder data from online sources indicated that a glide ratio of about 7:1 was achievable. The distance and altitude from the last radar return to the accident site would have required a glide ratio of about 23:1.

According to the Western Michigan University, School of Medicine, Medical Examiner and Forensic Science autopsy report prepared for the Clare County Medical Examiner, the cause of the pilot’s death was multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death was accident. No significant natural disease was identified. Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory toxicology testing detected the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in the pilot’s cavity blood at 18 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and in his liver tissue. The non-impairing antihistamine loratadine, commonly marketed as Claritin, and its metabolite desloratadine were also detected in the pilot’s cavity blood and liver tissue.