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August 9, 1991 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N8144J
Midland, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Midland, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N8144J
Operator
Stevens Operating
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91FA144
THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A SHALLOW UNCONTROLLED ATTITUDE ABOUT 3.5 MILES FROM ITS INTENDED DESTINATION WHILE HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, DESPITE HAVING RECEIVED VECTORS THROUGH AN ARSA AND A LANDING ADVISORY FROM THE UNICOM. REVIEW OF THE ATC TAPES FROM THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL SEGMENTS REVEALED THAT THE PILOT WAS IN EXTREME PHYSICAL DISTRESS UPON ARRIVAL. ANALYSIS OF THE TAPES AND THE PILOT'S MEDICAL HISTORY BY A PANEL OF FLIGHT SURGEONS INDICATED THAT THE PILOT WAS INCAPACITATED SHORTLY BEFORE IMPACT, PROBABLY DUE TO A MAJOR MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT. THE AUTOPSY REVEALED SEVERAL ARTIFACTS INDICATIVE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF HYPERTENSION AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS. HE WAS TAKING MEDICATION FOR THE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, THE MEDICATIONS, TAKEN IN PARALLEL, COUNTERACTED THE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICINE'S EFFECT. IN ADDITION, HIS TOXICOLOGY SAMPLES REVEALED TWO PAIN MEDICATIONS, NORMALLY PRESCRIBED TO ALLEVIATE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PRESCRIPTIONS BEING TAKEN FOR THE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, IN QUANTITIES ABOVE THE NORMAL THERAPEUTIC LEVELS. ONE OF THE
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE DUE TO HIS PHYSIOLOGICAL INCAAPACITATION. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE USAGE OF PAIN MEDICATIONS.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A SHALLOW UNCONTROLLED ATTITUDE ABOUT 3.5 MILES FROM ITS INTENDED DESTINATION WHILE HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, DESPITE HAVING RECEIVED VECTORS THROUGH AN ARSA AND A LANDING ADVISORY FROM THE UNICOM. REVIEW OF THE ATC TAPES FROM THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL SEGMENTS REVEALED THAT THE PILOT WAS IN EXTREME PHYSICAL DISTRESS UPON ARRIVAL. ANALYSIS OF THE TAPES AND THE PILOT'S MEDICAL HISTORY BY A PANEL OF FLIGHT SURGEONS INDICATED THAT THE PILOT WAS INCAPACITATED SHORTLY BEFORE IMPACT, PROBABLY DUE TO A MAJOR MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT. THE AUTOPSY REVEALED SEVERAL ARTIFACTS INDICATIVE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF HYPERTENSION AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS. HE WAS TAKING MEDICATION FOR THE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, THE MEDICATIONS, TAKEN IN PARALLEL, COUNTERACTED THE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICINE'S EFFECT. IN ADDITION, HIS TOXICOLOGY SAMPLES REVEALED TWO PAIN MEDICATIONS, NORMALLY PRESCRIBED TO ALLEVIATE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PRESCRIPTIONS BEING TAKEN FOR THE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, IN QUANTITIES ABOVE THE NORMAL THERAPEUTIC LEVELS. ONE OF THE
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:33 CDT
Nearest AirportMidland Airpark (4nm NW)
Runway11
Runway Length4380 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN8144J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorStevens Operating
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB1 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC