ATL01LA097

After takeoff, the airplane climbed to approximately 200 feet above ground level, then lost engine power. The pilot attempted to return to the runway. During the maneuver, airspeed was not maintained, and the airplane stalled and dove straight into the ground. Fuel was observed leaking from the wreckage at the accident site. The engine was removed for examination, and the drive train rotated freely when manipulated by hand. All three propeller blades were found broken off the hub. Examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Diazepam (valium), a prescription medication, was detected during the toxicological examination.

On August 27, 2001, at 0943 eastern daylight time, a Troy A. Woodland, Sky Raider II, N64KS, registered to a private owner, collided with the ground after a loss of engine power and subsequent stall at Massey Ranch Airpark in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The personal flight was conducted by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed; the pilot received fatal injuries, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the passenger and witnesses, the airplane departed runway 36 for a flight around the airport. After takeoff, the airplane climbed to approximately 200 feet above ground level, then lost engine power. The airplane had traveled past the end of the runway, and the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to the left to return to the airport. The passenger and witnesses stated the airplane stalled during the turning maneuver, then nosed down and dove straight into the ground.

The wreckage was found west of the runway inside the airport fence south of a nearby street. A witness who arrived immediately after seeing the airplane crash saw fuel leaking from the left wing and attempted to stop the leak. Fuel lines were found separated, and the fire department hosed fuel away from the airplane and surrounding area. The elevator was found crushed in the full nose-up position, and the throttle was found in the full-power position.

The engine was removed for examination, and internal components turned freely when the crankshaft was manipulated by hand. Examination of the cylinder bores and pistons revealed no evidence of abnormal distress. All three propeller blades had broken off at the hub. Examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

The autopsy on the pilot was preformed by Dr. Thomas Parsons at the Volusia County Medical Examiners Office in Daytona Beach, Florida, on August 28, 2001. The reported cause of death was blount force trauma. Forensic toxicology of samples from the pilot was performed by the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Drug quantities detected were as follows: 0.048 (ug/ml, ug/g) diazepam in the blood; 0.101 (ug/ml, ug/g) nordiazepam in the blood; oxazepam in the blood; 0.444 (ug/ml, ug/g) nordiazepam in the liver; nordiazepam in the urine; oxazepam in the urine; and quinine in the urine. Diazepam (valium) is a prescription medication with a variety of therapeutic uses. A review of the emergency response records revealed that no drugs were administered during resuscitative efforts.