NTSB Factual Report

History of Flight

On August 21, 1995, at 1253 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N76429, was destroyed as a result of loss of control while maneuvering after takeoff. The private pilot was fatally injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the Oscoda County Airport, Mio, Michigan, en route to Marine City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

Witnesses reported that the pilot departed from runway 27 at Oscoda County Airport. The takeoff was normal and the engine sounded normal with no sputtering. Shortly after takeoff the pilot rocked his wings as a goodbye gesture, which was typical for the pilot. Witnesses reported that the airplane obtained about 10 to 30 feet of vertical clearance with the trees at the end of the airport property. The airplane went into a hard bank to the left, which was reported to be between 60 to 90 degrees angle of bank. The airplane crossed highway 33 during the turn and leveled out for about 1/4 mile.

A witness driving south on highway 33 reported that he could see the airplane out the right side of his pickup window. He reported that the airplane was no more than 20 feet above the trees. The airplane went into another hard, ninety degree left bank which turned the aircraft back toward the airport property heading about 120 degrees.

Witnesses reported that the airplane hit trees with the left wing pointing down. The airplane landed in an inverted position. Witnesses also reported that the engine had sounded normal with no sputtering during the flight.

Personnel Information

The pilot was a 49 year old male, private pilot. He had flown his biennial flight review 26 months prior in a Cessna 140. He held a second class medical certificate and the date of his last medical exam was August 15, 1994. He had flown 625 total flight hours. He had logged 3 hours of flight time in the last 90 days.

Aircraft Information

The airplane was 1946 Cessna 140 and was owned by the pilot. The aircraft's logbooks were not recovered. The last recorded annual inspection was performed on April 26, 1994, and the total hours on the airplane were 2,940 hours. The tach time at the accident site indicated 3,153 total hours.

Witnesses reported that the pilot had purchased five gallons of automobile fuel the morning of the accident to be used in his airplane.

Wreckage and Impact Damage

An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the wreckage path indicated the airplane impacted the trees with the left wing down and then rolled inverted and struck the ground. He reported that the engine went into the cabin when the nose hit the ground. He reported that there were indications of propeller strikes in the trees. The inspector reported that engine was operating at the time of the accident, and that the engine and flight controls had continuity.

Meteorological Conditions

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The reported local winds were 270 degrees at 11 miles per hour, gusting to 20 miles per hour. Witnesses reported winds had been between 20 and 40 miles per hour that day.

Medical and Pathological Information

The autopsy was performed at Mercy Hospital/Grayling, 1100 Michigan Ave., Grayling, MI 49738.

The toxicology report indicated the following results:

0.136 (ug/ml, ug/g) Chlorpheniramine detected in Blood Phenylpropanolamine was detected in Blood Atropine was detected in Blood

Use of Chlorpheniramine is not approved for use while piloting an airplane. Chlorpheniramine is an ingredient in Contact.

A witness reported that the pilot had not been feeling well during the weekend. The witness reported that the pilot had not been himself and was "kind of doggy" all morning. The witness reported that the pilot was lethargic, and that he could not keep his eyes open and was just in "slow motion." The witness reported that the pilot took one Contact in the morning for his allergies and hay fever.

Additional Information

Parties to the investigation included Cessna Aircraft Company and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airplane wreckage was released to the family.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's impairment of judgement and performance which led to performing a low altitude maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery. A factor was the tailwind.