Fatal General Aviation Accident Involving a Hunting Trip (N431BR)

Accident Overview and Context The aircraft was being used for a hunting trip when the pilot and passenger loaded the airplane with baggage, which included four dogs and their cages. Before takeoff, the passenger fastened his seat belt in the right front seat. The pilot departed under an instrument flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions. ## Witness Account and Crash Sequence Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed approximately 1.5 miles south of the airport. A witness reported that the aircraft sounded lower than normal while the engines were at a higher-than-cruise power setting. The witness indicated that the aircraft circled his house and then increased speed. He observed the aircraft emerge from cloud bases in a nose-down, right-bank attitude. ## Impact, Damage, and Injuries The aircraft struck a wooded terrain, hit a house, and burned. It was destroyed by impact and ground fire. The occupants were fatally injured. ## Investigation Findings No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The control yoke was found positioned to the left, on the pilot's side. The pilot's blood tested negative for drugs. Although his blood tested positive for ethanol, there was an indication of post-mortem production of ethanol due to putrefaction. Medical records showed that the pilot had been treated for hypertension with the drug atenolol. Toxicology tests showed the presence of atenolol in urine, but not in blood.