# NTSB DEN08LA040: Garniss Stol 701, N45500, Mesilla, NM, December 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 15, 2007, 16:41 local (23:41 UTC) - Place: Mesilla, NM - Coordinates: 32.286945, -106.789443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2869&lon=-106.7894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67280/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an intentional low altitude maneuver due to impairment, resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - use of inappropriate medication/drug, pilot in command - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot flew his recently-purchased airplane over his home on a "daily basis." Each time, he would "buzz" his house and "wig wag" his wings. On the afternoon of the accident, the airplane circled over a vacant field behind his house in a constant descending left turn. He began to rock his wings as he made a "lower than normal" pass. As the pilot rocked his wings, he "lost control" of the airplane. The left wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. A toxicological screen performed by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute found Chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine. Since it could not be quantified, it could not be determined how much was in the pilot's body or how long he had taken the antihistamine before flying. According to the Regional Federal Air Surgeon, the drug is contraindicated because it may cause drowsiness. ## Factual narrative On December 15, 2007, at 1641 mountain standard time, a Garniss STOL 701, N45500, piloted by a sport pilot, was destroyed when it struck terrain while maneuvering near Mesilla, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated approximately 1600 from Las Cruces (LRU), New Mexico. According to FAA inspectors, the pilot purchased the airplane approximately 2 months prior to the accident. His wife and daughters, who were witnesses to the accident, told the inspectors that the pilot flew over his home on a "daily basis." Each time, he would "buzz" his house and "wig wag" his wings. On the afternoon of the accident, they observed the airplane circling over a vacant field behind their house in a constant descending left turn. Other witnesses said the pilot began to rock his wings as he made a "lower than normal" pass. As the pilot wig wagged his wings, he "lost control" of the airplane. The left wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. The accident site was approximately 100 yards east of 2031 Old Farm Road, and 350 feet west-southwest of the pilot's residence. A toxicological screen performed by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, found Chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine. Since it could not be quantified, it could not be determined how much was in the pilot's body or how long he had taken the antihistamine before flying. According to the Regional Federal Air Surgeon, the drug is contraindicated because it may cause drowsiness. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45500](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45500-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 7-4634, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garniss STOL 701 - Registry model: [Garniss Robert W STOL 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/garniss-robert-w-stol-701) (registry code 05617A0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-4634 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Steimmetz - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: LRU, Las Cruces, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: fatal; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: LRU ## 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 20071215828909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071215828909A), Dec 15, 2007: Amtr STOL701, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On 12/15/07, at approx. 1630 MST, N45500, stol 701, was substantially damaged when landed off airport in a residential area. VMC conditions prevailed.… 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.