Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-25-235 near Jacksonville, FL — 2011-12-31

Final reportERA12FA130
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Date
2011-12-31
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Airport
CRG
Aircraft
PIPER PA-25-235
Registration
N7408Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's in-flight loss of control during climb after a banner pickup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana.

NTSB narrative

The flight was climbing out after picking up a banner. A security camera video showed the airplane climbing with the banner trailing behind before it disappeared from the camera’s view. Shortly after, witnesses observed the banner free falling to the ground and the airplane in a right spin before it impacted a parking lot in a nose-down attitude. Postaccident examination revealed no malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, also known as marijuana) and the Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (THC metabolite) detected in the pilot’s blood during toxicological testing indicated that he had recently used THC. Although the investigation could not determine precisely when the pilot had last used THC, the levels detected indicated that the pilot was impaired and most likely posed a hazard to flight safety. Autopsy results also identified preexisting moderate-to-severe cardiomyopathy; however, there is no indication that this heart condition contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the banner pickup due to low altitude and slow climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Video
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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