Pilot Reported Engine ‘Was Dying’ Prior To Going Down

The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident which occurred December 18 near Charlottesville, VA. The pilot, identified as 51-year-old Dr. Gregory Arnold Voit of Northfield, NJ, had been on his way to pick up his son from college for the winter break.

The airplane, a Beech A36TC, N3705Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Charlottesville, Virginia, while on approach to Charlottesville-Albemarle airport (KCHO), Charlottesville, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed from Woodbine Municipal Airport (KOBI), Woodbine, New Jersey, about 0945, and was destined for KCHO. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personnel flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Review of preliminary air traffic control information revealed that the pilot contacted KCHO tower at 1104 to report he was 13 miles from KCHO at 4,300 mean sea level. A KCHO tower controller instructed him to enter a left base for runway 21 and report 3 miles. At 1108, the pilot declared an emergency. The controller asked for the nature of the emergency and the pilot reported his engine was dying. The pilot's last transmission to KCHO tower was at 1110 when he stated he was not going to make the airport.

The accident site was located in front of a residence, about 3 miles east of KCHO. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 200 feet in length, oriented approximately 090 degrees magnetic, extending through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of the outboard right and left wings were located along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and all three propeller blades exhibited postcrash impact damage with minimal leading edge and rotational signature damage.

The engine was retained for further examination.

(A36 Bonanza pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov