Express CT — Grand Prairie, TX

What happened

The pilot requested a right turn after takeoff, which was approved by the local control (LC) controller. Shortly after departure, the LC controller instructed the pilot to keep the turn tight to avoid the airspace of a nearby airport. A witness said the airplane’s bank angle increased significantly during the turn before entering a steep dive. After the airplane began the dive, the witness heard the engine power up to what sounded like full power. The airplane impacted a light pole, a road, and then stuck an automobile after which a postaccident fire ensued. The witness said the airplane may have entered an accelerated stall. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.

The pilot did not appear to have any natural disease that would be a factor in this accident. While his autopsy described an enlarged heart, the size was within normal limits for his last known pre-accident weight.

The pilot had likely taken cold and allergy medication some time before flying. Toxicology testing detected the opioid cough suppressant dihydrocodeine in his urine but not in his blood, so no impairing effects would be expected. The sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine was detected in the pilot’s cavity and heart blood. The pilot-rated passenger also had diphenhydramine detected in his chest cavity blood. Given postmortem redistribution, the amounts detected were likely subtherapeutic. Given the circumstances of this crash, it is unlikely that the effects from the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s use of diphenhydramine contributed to this accident.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.