# NTSB LAX93LA124: Bertone Challenger II, N4391V, Boulder City, NV, February 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1993, 10:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.989807, -114.809684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9898&lon=-114.8097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA124

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AS A RESULT OF EITHER DRUGS OR OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR REASONS, OR BOTH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD CALLED ANOTHER PILOT ON THE RADIO AND SAID THAT HE WAS 5 MI SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT AND RETURNING TO LAND. WHEN THE PILOT DID NOT RETURN, THE OTHER PILOT TOOK OFF TO SEARCH FOR THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED 3 MI SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NOSE FIRST AT A 40-45 DEG ANGLE. THE PROPELLER APPEARED NOT TO HAVE BEEN TURNING AT IMPACT. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE FOUND NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. TOXICOLOGICAL RESULTS WERE POSITIVE: BLOOD SCREEN - 1026 NG/ML DIAZEPAM, 1142 NG/ML NORDIAZEPAM; URINE SCREEN - METHAMPHETAMINE, AMPHETAMINE, OXAZEPAM, TEMAZEPAM, AND NORDIAZEPAM IDENTIFIED. THE LEVEL OF DIAZEPAM WOULD INDICATE THAT THE PILOT WAS TAKING THE TRANQUILIZER VALIUM AT A LEVEL OF AT LEAST TWICE THE NORMAL THERAPEUTIC CONCENTRATION. IN ADDITION, THE AUTOPSY REVEALED A SEVERE OCCLUSION OF THE LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING ARTERY, AT ITS ORIGIN. THE DEGREE OF OCCLUSION WAS SUFFICIENT TO HAVE CAUSED ARRHYTHMIA, INFARCT OR EVEN DEATH AT ANY TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4391V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4391V-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N CH20192CW0785, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BERTONE CHALLENGER II (CHALLENGER)
- Registry model: [Bertone Anthony CHALLENGER II SPECIA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bertone-anthony-challenger-ii-specia) (registry code 056760W) (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: 20192CW0785
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: HIRTH 2703 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank D. Graham
- Registered owner: Frank D. Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 27, 1992, 15 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 310 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19930218004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930218004899A), Feb 18, 1993: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Boulder, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Dived into ground,power off. Had taken an overdose of various drugs. Severe occlusion of anterior artery.

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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