Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 310Q near Steamboat, CO — 2008-05-25

Final reportDFW08FA153
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Date
2008-05-25
Location
Steamboat, CO, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 310Q
Registration
N8187Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain in day visual conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana and inadequate medical oversight of the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot departed on a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain in day, visual meteorological conditions. The pilot had filed a flight plan but it was never activated and an Alert Notification (ALNOT) was issued when the airplane did not reach its destination. The airplane struck trees in a shallow descent into slightly rising terrain at an elevation of 9,800 feet mean sea level, approximately 27 miles east of the departure airport. Examination of the airplane and both engines revealed no mechanical discrepancies. Postaccident toxicology testing was consistent with impairment of the pilot due to his use of marijuana within three hours of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration was aware of multiple convictions of the pilot for alcohol-related offenses, but did not request any documentation of those convictions or additional evaluation prior to issuing the pilot a second-class medical certificate.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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