# NTSB CHI95LA185: Christen Industries S-2B, N260RG, Elgin, IL, June 17, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1995, 17:49 local (22:49 UTC) - Place: Elgin, IL - Coordinates: 42.030727, -88.280357 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0307&lon=-88.2804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 15, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9914 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9914/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA185 ## Probable cause the pilot's incapacitation due to alcohol and drugs which led to a loss of consciousness. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - incapacitation(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - use of inappropriate medication/drug, pilot in command - incapacitation(drugs), pilot in command (cause) - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING AN AIRPORT FOLLOWING AN AEROBATIC DEMONSTRATION BY THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE HOSPITAL'S TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD SHOWED 284 MG/DL OF ALCOHOL (0.248% BAC). THE FAA'S CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE TOXICOLOGY REPORT SHOWED 288.000 MG/DL ETHANOL IN THE BLOOD (0.288% BAC) AND 280.000 MG/DL OF ETHANOL IN THE URINE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD 0.100 MCG/ML DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) AND 0.114 MCG/ML NORDIAZEPAM IN THE BLOOD. DIAZEPAM AND NORDIAZEPAM ARE ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS, MUSCLE RELAXANTS, AND ANTI-CONVULSANTS, AND ARE NOT APPROVED FOR USE WHILE FLYING. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1995, at 1749 central daylight time (cdt), a Christen Pitts S-2B, N290RG, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground and subsequent fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed Crystal Lake, Illinois, at 1730 cdt. According to the pilot's statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he lost consciousness about ten minutes after departing the airport following an aerobatic demonstration. He said he recalled colliding with the ground and trying to get free of the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane bank left and right before it made a steep descent toward the ground. N290RG's wreckage trail was on an approximate heading of 135 degrees magnetic. The airplane's main landing gear tire produced two imprints onto a newly seeded farm field. About 400 feet after the tire imprints the airplane came to rest and caught fire. Examination of the airframe revealed no pre-collision failures. Flight control system continuity was established from the cockpit to each control surface. Aileron control cables had been separated, the ends of these cables were broomed and strand ends exhibited necking. Fire damage to the engine was extensive. Mechanical continuity of its major components was established. During an interview with an FAA Principal Operations Inspector (POI) the pilot stated he must have fallen asleep. The POI asked the pilot if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages during the day. The pilot said he had not. The pilot's wife was a passenger in the airplane. She said she was not aware of any problem with the pilot or airplane before the accident. The POI asked the passenger if the pilot had consumed any alcoholic beverages. She said she did not think he had consumed any before, or after, the air show. The passenger said the pilot had appeared totally exhausted after the air show. Hospital records for the injured pilot showed that a chemistry- toxicological examination was performed. The results of the blood test revealed 284 MG/DL of alcohol. This sample was taken at 1833 cdt on June 17, 1995. Blood and urine samples for the pilot were examined by the FAA's Civil Aero Medical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Their report showed the pilot had 288.000 (mg/dl) Ethanol detected in the blood and 280.000 (mg/dl) ethanol detected in the urine. Diazepam (0.100 ug/ml, ug/g) was detected in the blood and 0.114 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Nordiazepam was also detected in the blood. Both drugs were also detected in the urine sample. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260RG-1995-10-10), registration cancelled 1995-10-10, S/N 5168 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries S-2B - Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5168 - Airframe hours: 330 - Engines: LYCOMING AEI0-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clyde L. Goranson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1995, 30 hours before - Departed: 3CK, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL - Destination: JOT, JOLIET, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,369 total, 700 in this make and model, 6,262 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950617020539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950617020539A), Jun 17, 1995: Child S2BPITTS, Elgin, IL, Destroyed. Pilot reported lost consciousness on climbout after performing at airshow. Pilot test showed intoxicated. Medical dr (-23) aircraft had departed crystal lake,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.