VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN17FA288
ZENITH CH701SP — Laddonia, MO
| Date | July 27, 2017 |
| Location | Laddonia, MO |
| Aircraft | ZENITH CH701SP (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 41 |
| Pilot total time | 272 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | 98 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Below VFR minima-Contributed to outcome - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Spatial disorientation-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Prescription medication-Pilot - F
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Instrument flight capability-Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues-Task environment-Pressures/demands-Personal pressure-Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - F
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot - F
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total instrument experience-Pilot - F
What happened
Although he had no night or instrument flight experience, the sport pilot departed in a non-instrument-certificated light sport airplane at night with an overcast ceiling and thunderstorms in the area. Radar data showed that the airplane proceeded on course for about 9 minutes and then entered a right descending turn that continued to ground impact, which was consistent with the pilot attempting to return to the departure airport and not paying attention to his altitude. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck open level farm land in a right wing-low, nose-low attitude. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any evidence of preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot continued visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent spatial disorientation.
The pilot had a history of chronic insomnia treated with temazepam, a sedating benzodiazepine, and was regularly prescribed hydrocodone, an opioid analgesic. Toxicology testing detected these drugs and their metabolites in the pilot's system. The pilot was likely impaired by effects from his use of temazepam, and the impairing effects of temazepam were likely enhanced by the pilot's use of hydrocodone. It is likely that the pilot's decision-making was degraded due to his combined use of temazepam and hydrocodone.