VFR into IMC · NTSB DFW08FA057
PIPER PA46-500TP — San Antonio, TX
| Date | January 18, 2008 |
| Location | San Antonio, TX |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA46-500TP |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Loss of visual reference |
| Pilot age | 65 |
| Pilot total time | 1,049 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 58 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-OTC medication-Pilot - F
What happened
The pilot attempted to intercept an instrument landing system localizer three times without success. The pilot told Air Traffic Approach Control that he was having trouble performing a "coupled" approach and that he was trying to "get control" of the airplane. The airplane disappeared from radar, subsequently impacting a field and then a barn. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and a postcrash fire ensued. A review of radar and voice data for the flight revealed that during the three approach attempts the pilot was able to turn to headings and climb to altitudes when assigned by air traffic control. Postmortem toxicology results were consistent with the regular use of a prescription antidepressant, and the recent use of a larger-than-maximal dose of an over-the-counter antihistamine known to cause impairment. There were no preimpact anomalies observed during the airframe and engine examinations that would have prevented normal operation.