Airplane Continued In A Descending Left Turn Until ADS-B Contact Was Lost At 1402

Location: Three Points, AZ Accident Number: WPR22FA012
Date & Time: October 17, 2021, 14:02 Local Registration: N112LS
Aircraft: Rockwell 112 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 17, 2021, about 1402 mountain standard time, a Rockwell International, 112B airplane, N112LS, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Three Points, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Recorded Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed that the airplane departed from runway 24L at Ryan Field (RYN), Tucson, Arizona, about 1339, ascended to 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and traveled southwest for about 5 minutes before conducting multiple 180 degree turns over a road. The data showed the airplane continue to the southwest before making a wide right turn followed by a left turn. The data showed 2 lazy-eight type maneuvers before heading southwest. The data showed that the airplane’s airspeed slowed to about 50 mph and entered a descending left turn. The airplane continued in a descending left turn until ADS-B contact was lost at 1402, at an altitude of 3,250 ft msl (250 ft agl).

Concerned friends of the pilot contacted local authorities after the airplane was overdue at its planned destination. The airplane wreckage was found later that evening by local law enforcement.

A friend of the pilot reported that the pilot was preparing for an upcoming biannual flight review scheduled for the following week. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain in a flat, wings level attitude. The airplane remained mostly intact but was consumed by postimpact fire. Broken plexiglass surrounded the main wreckage. All the airplane’s flight controls were found at the accident site and flight control cable continuity was established to the cabin area.

The airplane was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov