ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 39837
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| Date: | Monday 3 February 1997 |
| Time: | 17:20 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II |
| Owner/operator: | H.w. Shaw |
| Registration: | N33322 |
| MSN: | 28R-7535134 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4618 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-360-C1C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Lone Wolf, OK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Altus, OK (KAXS) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot met his two passengers at an airport where he purchased 10 gal of fuel. The airport attendant estimated that there was about 1 inch of fuel in each wing tank before he added 5 gal to each tank. The pilot commented to the attendant, 'let me see if I can't scar these guys to death.' Witnesses observed the airplane flying over a lodge area. They said the airplane was 'tilting at 90 degree angles on its wings.' Also, they reported the airplane went 'inverted,' and then nosed down and disappeared from view. It then crashed in a lake and was destroyed by impact. One witness stated that 'the motor was making a noise, as if it was getting gas and then not getting gas.' Another witness observed the airplane earlier that day doing 'tricks and stunts.' The airplane was restricted from inverted flight and was not approved for acrobatic maneuvers. During examination of the wreckage, flight control continuity was established, and no anomalies were found that would have resulted in a loss of power. Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood showed 0.008 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana), 0.014 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana), and 0.052 mcg/ml alprazolam. Tests of his urine showed 0.695 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, 0.071 mcg/ml dihydrocodeine, 0.155 mcg/ml hydrocodone, 0.338 mcg/ml hydromorphone, 4.8 mcg/ml acetaminophen, and an undetermined amount of alprazolam and alph-hydroxalprazolam. According to the FAA's Southwest Regional Flight Surgeon, 'the combined effects of these drugs would have caused impairment in the cockpit.'
Probable Cause: the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude (clearance above a lake), while performing aerobatic flight. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an aircraft that was not certified for aerobatic flight, and possible pilot distraction (diverted attention), when the engine momentarily lost power due to fuel starvation during inverted flight.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW97FA100
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Apr-2024 16:55 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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