# NTSB LAX03FA102: Mitchell CH-801, N235RJ, Nicholas, CA, February 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 2003, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Nicholas, CA - Coordinates: 38.933334, -121.633331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9333&lon=-121.6333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03FA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56572/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA102 ## Probable cause an in-flight structural failure due to the pilot exceeding the design limitations of the airplane. Drug impairment was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor) - wing - overload - horizontal stabilizer - overload - vertical stabilizer - overload - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane broke apart in flight, and the debris path was 2 miles long. The top surface of the right wing was the first item in the debris path. The next pieces were the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. They were approximately 400 feet away from the right wing, and 50 feet apart from each other. The remainder of the right wing was 800 feet past the stabilizers. The left wing was an additional 300 feet away. The fuselage was near the end of the debris trail. Rivet holes at separation points were elongated and/or deformed. Fracture surfaces were angular and irregularly shaped. The toxicology reports indicated the finding of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active substance in marijuana) and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH), an inactive metabolite of marijuana) in the blood of both occupants. The levels of the substances are consistent with the smoking of at least one marijuana cigarette within about 12 hours of death in the case of the pilot, and 2 hours for the passenger. A few studies have shown impairment during the performance of demanding aircraft simulator tasks even 24 hours after smoking marijuana, and it is likely that the pilot was at least somewhat impaired at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2003, about 1130 Pacific standard time, an experimental Mitchell CH-801, N235RJ, broke apart in flight near Nicholas, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The personal local flight departed Rio Linda Airport (Q94), Rio Linda, California, about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. A farm worker heard a thud and noticed debris in the air about 1130. Several hours later he informed the farm owner of his observations. They went to investigate and discovered the wreckage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator examined the debris field. He estimated that the debris path was 2 miles long. The debris path was along a magnetic bearing of 340 degrees. The top surface of the right wing was the first item in the debris path. The next pieces were the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. They were approximately 400 feet away from the right wing top, and 50 feet apart from each other. The remainder of the right wing was 800 feet past the stabilizers. The left wing was an additional 300 feet away. The fuselage was near the end of the debris trail. A Safety Board investigator examined the wreckage at Plain Parts in Pleasant Grove, California. Rivet holes at separation points were elongated and/or deformed. Fracture surfaces were angular and irregularly shaped. The top 7-foot portion of the right wing separated. The inboard spar/rib structure bent aft and twisted outward. The inboard 5 feet of the main spar bent aft about 80 degrees. The right wing strut displayed 45-degree fracture angles at the midpoint and root locations. The left wing remained nearly intact. The main strut pulled out of the wing, and the fitting rolled 180 degrees. The strut remained connected at the root attach point. The fore and aft attach fittings on the left side of the empennage displayed smooth, 45-degree edges at the failure points. The right fittings pulled out of the fuselage. The elevator had been modified with 11-inch tip extensions. Rivets sheared through the rudder's bottom hinge. A black rubber mark was on the leading edge slat. One engine mount, secured by an AN-5 bolt, had a 3/16-inch gap on the engine side of the firewall. The FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing. They tested the pilot and passenger for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs. The pilot's test had the following results: tetrahydrocannobinol (marihuana) detected in Blood 0.013 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Urine 0.0124 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Blood 0.0332 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Liver The passenger's test had the following results: 0.0055 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Blood 0.0309 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Liver 0.0214 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Blood 1.0212 (ug/ml, ug/g) tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) detected in Liver fluoxetine detected in Blood fluoxetine detected in Blood 0.475 (ug/ml,ug/g) norfluoxetine detected in Blood norfuoxetine detected in liver According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N235RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N235RJ-2004-06-10), registration cancelled 2004-06-10, S/N 8-4114, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mitchell CH-801 - Registry model: [Mitchell A CH-801](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitchell-a-ch-801) (registry code 05614TR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 8-4114 - Engines: LOM M337B 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald D. Jarrett - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 8, 2002 - Departed: Q94, RIO LINDA, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SMF, 13 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 20030228003089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030228003089A), Feb 28, 2003: Amtr CH801, Dingville, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) In-flight breakup over rice field in sutter country. Aircraft debris was scattered approximately 1 mile. Large section of right wing was found at… 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.