HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Federal investigators have released new details regarding the Feb. 6 plane crash in South Carolina that claimed the life of 30-year-old Andrew Frederick Nichols of Huntsville. The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), reviewed by FOX54, points toward significant engine trouble and internal mechanical damage as factors in the accident.
The aircraft, a Cirrus SR22 registered to the Learjetjohn Flying Club LLC based out of Pryor Field Regional Airport in Decatur, was returning to North Alabama when it lost power shortly after takeoff.
Aircraft Examination
According to the report, the pilot declared an emergency about 13 nautical miles west of Columbia Metro Airport after reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet. He radioed a “mayday” call, informing controllers, “we just lost our engine.”
While the pilot initially reported having roughly 45 gallons of fuel on board, investigators found physical evidence within the engine that suggests a mechanical failure rather than simple fuel exhaustion. Key findings from the NTSB’s initial examination include:
- Piston Damage: A borescope inspection revealed “valve strikes” to five of the six engine pistons.
- Camshaft Issues: Investigators noted “anomalous damage” to the camshaft gear and irregular valve action.
- Propeller Condition: While the engine was severely damaged, two of the three propeller blades were bent aft with deep gouges, though audio from security cameras was consistent with the propeller “windmilling” without power before impact.
The assessment is preliminary, and not final, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Final Moments and Local Ties
The flight was the final leg of a multi-day trip that began in Decatur on Feb. 3. After spending two nights in Columbia, the pilot and Nichols departed at 9:21 a.m. local time on the day of the crash…