Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN16FA370
PIPER PA 11 — Arcanum, OH
| Date | September 14, 2016 |
| Location | Arcanum, OH |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA 11 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 20 |
| Pilot total time | 31 hrs · Student / very low time |
| Time in type | 9 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Illicit drug-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Personality/attitude-Personality-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Alcohol-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot
What happened
Although federal regulations do not allow a student pilot to carry passengers, the student pilot and a passenger departed from a private airstrip on a personal flight in the airplane. During the flight, the passenger posted on social media a video that showed the airplane maneuvering at low altitude. The airplane subsequently impacted a cornfield at high speed. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Toxicology testing of specimens from the student pilot indicated the use of multiple psychoactive drugs, including alprazolam, cocaine, ethanol, and hydroxyzine. The combined effects of these drugs likely impaired his ability to safely perform low-altitude maneuvers.