ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 40142
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| Date: | Saturday 13 September 1997 |
| Time: | 02:20 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-18-150 |
| Owner/operator: | Joseph T. Howell |
| Registration: | N14255 |
| MSN: | 18-7409058 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1974 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1215 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-A2B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Ethel, LA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Jackson, LA (NONE) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During the night flight, in which the non certificated pilot was maneuvering the aircraft in the vicinity of a friend's residence, the aircraft struck trees and descended uncontrolled to the ground. The Investigator in Charge estimated his flight time at 371 hours. Flight control and engine continuity were confirmed. No evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found. Toxicological testing was performed by a medical laboratory, a state crime laboratory, and CAMI. All were positive for alcohol. According to Dr. Canfield, CAMI, 'the 189.00 (mg/dL, mg/hg)(.189%) ethanol detected in blood, 181.000 (mg.dL, mg/hg)(.181%) ethanol detected in vitreous fluid, and 251.000 (mg/dL, mg/hg)(.251%) ethanol detected in urine, indicate recent ingestion of alcohol. In his opinion, these levels of ethanol would cause impairment of the pilot.'
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance. Related factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol and night conditions.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW97FA345
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 12:48 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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