SNOOK, TX, USA
N9323H
CESSNA 172M
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH 25-30 FT HIGH TREE IN A PASTURE, AND THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED. THE PROPERTY OWNER WHO HEARD THE IMPACT STATED THAT THE WX WAS LOW OVERCAST, DRIZZLE AND FOG. ACCORDING TO FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES OF THE PILOT, HE WAS DEPRESSED OVER A DIVORCE AND WAS UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION. DURING THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD BEEN OBSERVED CIRCLING A TOWN AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE IMPAIRED. THE PILOT WAS GIVEN THE OPTION OF CHECKING INTO A MOTEL OR GOING TO JAIL FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION; THE PILOT CHECKED INTO A MOTEL. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGY TESTS AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED BLOOD ETHANOL CONCENTRATION OF 156 MG/DL. IN ADDITION, A 0.283 UG/ML LEVEL OF SERTRALINE (TRANQUILIZER) WAS DETECTED IN THE BLOOD SAMPLES.
THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN WEATHER INFORMATION, THE DARK NIGHT AND EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
