NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 3, 2003, about 1332 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Young Pietenpol Air Camper, N81171, piloted by a recreational pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain during a landing at Robison Airport (IN33), near Peru, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Logansport Municipal Airport, near Logansport, Indiana, at time unknown and was landing at IN33 at the time of the accident.

The Miami County Sheriff's Department report stated that the pilot's wife called two acquaintances when the pilot did not return. The report said that the acquaintances stated, "They were checking the area from the air. ... They located the plane and pilot. It appeared the pilot had been ejected and it was noted his harness was broken."

The Sheriff stated that the pilot survived the accident and was "transported to Parkview Hospital via Samaritan helicopter."

The Miami County Sheriff's Department report stated that the pilot died from his injuries about 0633 on August 4, 2003.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a recreational pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating. He held a third-class medical certificate with the limitation that he "must wear corrective lenses." On his application for his last flight physical, dated April 21, 2003, the pilot reported that he had accumulated 70 total flight hours, 15 of which were flown in the 6 months preceding that physical examination.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was an experimental amateur-built Young Pietenpol Air Camper, serial number 1. A Continental C85 engine powered the airplane. The airplane's registration certificate was issued on March 19, 1999.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1355, the Grissom Air Reserve Base, near Peru, Indiana, about 199 degrees and 6 nautical miles from the accident site, recorded weather was: Wind 230 degrees at 11 knots, variable between 200 degrees and 260 degrees; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition scattered 3,000 feet, broken 3,500 feet, broken 8,000 feet; temperature 25 degrees C; dew point 18 degrees C; Altimeter 29.90 inches of mercury.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The airport field elevation was 735 feet. The airport had one runway. The runway had a north/south orientation, was 2,600 feet long and 150 feet wide, and had a turf surface.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The Miami County Sheriff's Department report stated:

It appeared the aircraft was possibly making a landing from the

north to south. The left wing area of the aircraft had severe

damage. It appeared that possibly the pilot struck the trees with his

left wing. There was fuel in the aircraft and it appeared the engine

was running at the time of the accident. The [tachometer] was

stuck at 1450 rpms.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed an on-scene examination of the airplane wreckage. The examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed by the Allen County Coroner.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report stated:

DIPHENHYDRAMINE present in Urine

DIPHENHYDRAMINE NOT detected in Blood

0.45 (ug/ml, ug/g) LIDOCAINE detected in Blood

LIDOCAINE present in Urine

MORPHINE detected in Blood

5.81 (ug/ml, ug/g) MORPHINE detected in Urine

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Diphenhydramine (commonly known by the trade name Benadryl) is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative effects, most commonly used to treat allergy symptoms.

The FAA was a party to the investigation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during the landing. A factor was the trees he impacted.