NYC94LA034

The tower controller reported that after the airplane took off from runway 24, he noticed it circling 1/2 mile off the end of the runway. The controller radioed the pilot, but there was no reply. The controller later noticed that the airplane was at a lower altitude shortly before it struck the ground. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. Toxicological tests revealed that the pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.27%.

On Monday, December 6, 1993, at 1639 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182Q, N96666, owned and piloted by Mr. John M. Wall, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, struck open terrain on the airport, while in a descent. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and the pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

The airplane departed on runway 24, and then the local controller observed it making left circles approximately 1/2 mile beyond the departure end of the runway. When he attempted to contact the pilot, he received no reply. The airplane continued in the left turns with the bank increasing and the nose dropping. The airplane made contact with the ground in a descending left turn, and debris was scattered for approximately 500 feet. FAA Inspector, Tony Orphanos, said in a telephone interview, there was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the engine or airframe.

According to FAA records, Mr. Wall was 67 years old, and held an FAA airmen third class medical certificate, issued on July 1, 1992. The medical application showed a total time of 3000 hours with 50 hours in the past 6 months. Additionally, Mr. Wall's medical application listed a driving while under the influence (DWI) offense from 4 years ago. Mr. Wall had noted on the form that he was going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings a minimum of 4 days a week, for 4 years. The DWI offense was not listed on Mr. Wall's medical application dated July 27. 1990.

Toxicological examinations were conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Massachusetts, and the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicological report from the State of Massachusetts found a blood alcohol level of .27 percent. In addition, ethanol (alcohol) was detected by the FAA in the blood (254 mg/dl), vitreous fluid (272 mg/dl), and urine (242 mg/dl).