What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
PILOT HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN MAKE AND MODEL. WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AT BEST. PILOT PRESS ON WITH VFR FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS, MADE A "MAYDAY" CALL THAT HE WAS REVERSING COURSE AND ENCOUNTERING ICING CONDITIONS. LAST REPORTED SPEED OF 220 KNOTS WITH A 2670 FPM RATE OF DESCENT. AIRCRAFT HIT A TREE ABOUT 45 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND SHEARED THE 18 INCH DIAMETER TRUNK AND CONTINUED DOWNSLOPE SHEARING SEVERAL SMALLER TREES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. UNABLE TO LOCATE THE RUDDERVATORS. AMENDED 04/05/2011: Based on toxicology findings this pilot was flying after using a disqualifying sedating medication. The side effects of the medication, including sedation, amnesia and possible sleep cycle interruption, along with the underlying medical condition being treated; may pose a hazard to flight safety.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN MAKE AND MODEL. WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AT BEST. PILOT PRESS ON WITH VFR FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS, MADE A "MAYDAY" CALL THAT HE WAS REVERSING COURSE AND ENCOUNTERING ICING CONDITIONS. LAST REPORTED SPEED OF 220 KNOTS WITH A 2670 FPM RATE OF DESCENT. AIRCRAFT HIT A TREE ABOUT 45 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND SHEARED THE 18 INCH DIAMETER TRUNK AND CONTINUED DOWNSLOPE SHEARING SEVERAL SMALLER TREES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. UNABLE TO LOCATE THE RUDDERVATORS. AMENDED 04/05/2011: Based on toxicology findings this pilot was flying after using a disqualifying sedating medication. The side effects of the medication, including sedation, amnesia and possible sleep cycle interruption, along with the underlying medical condition being treated; may pose a hazard to flight safety.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.