N. PALM SPRINGS, CA, USA
N22357
CESSNA 150H
THE STUDENT PILOT BUZZED THE LOCALE WHERE HE WORKED, AND WHILE MANEUVERING BETWEEN 100 AND 500 FT AGL MADE A SERIES OF 45-60 DEG BANK TURNS. A PILOT WITNESS REPORTED THIS ACTIVITY LASTED FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE AIRPLANE ABRUPTLY PITCHED UP, STALLED, AND DESCENDED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL IMPACTING THE DESERT TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 120 MG/DL. IN ADDITION, METHAMPHETAMINE AND AMPHETAMINE WERE DETECTED IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD SAMPLE.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS AS A RESULT OF HIS PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN BUZZING HIS WORK LOCALE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
