Pilot Debrief

Jahns Vans RV-7 near Neptune, NJ — 2008-07-05

Final reportNYC08FA239
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Date
2008-07-05
Location
Neptune, NJ, USA
Airport
BLM
Aircraft
Jahns Vans RV-7
Registration
N916R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot-owner of the amateur-built airplane completed an oil change and was seen performing other maintenance on his airplane. The airplane subsequently departed the uncontrolled airport at an unknown time, and was seen impacting an estuary, approximately 4 miles from the departure airport, after a near-vertical descent. The wreckage was highly fragmented. The engine, propeller, and several other components were not located or recovered. Examination of the recovered wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact failures. Toxicological tests on the pilot detected quinine (a medication used to treat malaria, found in tonic water, and available in non-prescription nutritional supplements marketed to reduce the frequency of nocturnal leg cramps) in the liver tissue. Side effects of quinine can include disturbances of vision, hearing, and balance, and the use of quinine by pilots is usually contraindicated, since it may contribute to spatial disorientation under some conditions. No information was obtained regarding the pilot’s possible use of quinine, and it was not possible to determine from the toxicology tests when the pilot might most recently have ingested quinine, or whether he may have been impaired by such use.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to fly after performing maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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