What happened
The manager of the destination airport reported that the pilot had contacted him earlier in the evening to request a pickup at the airfield. During this call, the pilot mentioned he intended to fly over the manager's residence after arriving at the airport. The manager subsequently heard an aircraft pass overhead, traveling from east to west. It was reported that the engine appeared to be operating normally until the moment of impact. The aircraft crashed into the open sea approximately 1.5 miles west-southwest of the airport.
A search operation was immediately initiated following the incident. The body of the passenger was recovered at approximately 0030 EDT. The pilot's body was not located until the following day, around 1330. The aircraft was retrieved from the crash site in about 15 feet of seawater.
The investigation
The aircraft was destroyed by the force of the impact. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine had separated from the firewall. The propeller blades were twisted and bent in the opposite direction of rotation, indicating they were spinning at the time of the crash. The right wing remained attached to the fuselage, though its leading edge was crushed chordwise. The left wing was broken and distorted.
Findings
Toxicology tests conducted on the pilot's blood and urine samples revealed significant alcohol presence. The blood alcohol level was measured at 0.157%, while the urine sample showed a level of 0.188%. These findings indicate substantial impairment at the time of the flight.
Safety message
This accident highlights the critical importance of pilot fitness for duty and adherence to legal limits regarding alcohol consumption before operating an aircraft.