What happened
The pilot reported initiating a flight to fly around the traffic pattern. However, the aircraft stalled while on the final approach to land. The aircraft subsequently crashed outside the airport boundary, coming to rest just short of the runway.
Prior to the flight, a mechanic who had been working on the aircraft explicitly informed the pilot that the annual inspection had not been completed and instructed him not to fly the plane. The mechanic also noted that the pilot appeared to have been drinking alcohol. Subsequent testing of the pilot's blood revealed an alcohol level of 0.25%.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight and the condition of the aircraft prior to departure. The analysis focused on the mechanical status reported by the mechanic and the physiological state of the pilot.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were fuel exhaustion due to the stall during approach and the pilot's impaired judgment. The pilot ignored specific warnings from a qualified mechanic regarding the airworthiness of the aircraft and his own sobriety. The blood alcohol concentration of 0.25% indicates severe impairment, which directly contributed to the loss of control.
Safety message
Pilots must adhere to strict pre-flight inspections and heed the advice of maintenance personnel. Flying an aircraft with known mechanical deficiencies or under the influence of alcohol is prohibited and extremely dangerous.