# NTSB ATL00LA031: unknown unknown, Manatee, FL, March 3, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 2000, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Manatee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.485277, -82.534164
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4853&lon=-82.5342&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Tampa FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA031

## Probable cause

The pilot's impairment due to the use of unapproved medication which led to loss of control in flight.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - use of inappropriate  medication/drug, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

According to witnesses at the accident site, the airplane was about 80 feet above the runway, on final approach to land, when it suddenly nosed into the ground. Both witnesses reported that the engine appeared to have been operating prior to impact. The toxicology report indicated that propoxyphene,  amitriptyline, and a high level of diphenhydramine were found in the pilot's blood. Propoxyphene is a prescription narcotic painkiller  known to impair cognitive performance. Amitriptyline is a sedating antidepressant.  Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine.  The pilot had no current FAA medical certificate.

## Factual narrative

On March 3, 2000, at 1720 eastern standard time, an unregistered experimental airplane, collided with the ground while attempting a landing on runway 27 at Redder Airport in Manatee, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot received fatal injuries. The flight departed Manatee, Florida, at an undetermined time.

According to witnesses at the accident site, the airplane was about 80 feet above the runway, on final approach to land, when it suddenly nosed into the ground. Both witnesses reported that the engine appeared to have been operating prior to impact.

On March 4, 2000, the postmortem examination on the pilot was performed at the Office of the District Twelve Medical Examiner, Sarasota, Florida. The toxicology report indicated that propoxyphene, a prescription narcotic painkiller often known by the trade name Darvon, norpropoxyphene, a metabolite of propoxyphene, amitriptyline, a prescription antidepressant, its active metabolite nortriptylene, and diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine,  were found in the pilot's blood and urine.

The FAA does not regulate the use of any specific prescription or over-the-counter medications by pilots, though the FARs do state that (Sec. 91.17): "No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft ... While using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety...." The pilot had no current FAA medical certificate. The pilot's personal medical history was not acquired for examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: unknown unknown
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 22
- Engines: Bombardier 3945879 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: Manatee, FL
- Airport: Redder Airport, runway 27, 3,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: MCF, 45 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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