What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-07-20 involved a Beech B36TC, registration N72035, operated by Orlyn L. Jones, at Santee, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AS A RESULT OF PRESCIPTION…

Pilot Had Surgery, Hydrocodone Detected After Crash (N72035)

On July 20, 1990, a Beech B36TC (registration N72035) operated by Orlyn L. Jones was involved in an aviation accident near Santee, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An aircraft departed from runway 27 in fog with indefinite ceiling 900 obscured and visibility 2 miles. Witnesses heard loud engine sounds and crash about 1.5 miles away. The tower was closed. The pilot had foot surgery the day before and hydrocodone was found in toxicology at above therapeutic levels.

Departure and Weather

The weather at departure was reported as an indefinite ceiling of 900 feet obscured, with visibility of 2 miles in fog. The aircraft departed to the west from runway 27.

Witness Observations

According to witnesses, the aircraft was observed departing to the west. About 1.5 miles from the runway, witnesses heard loud engine sounds coming from the eastbound direction, followed by the sounds of a crash. The control tower was not open at the time of departure.

Pilot Medical History

The day before the accident, the pilot had undergone a surgical procedure on his foot. Hydrocodone (brand name Vicodin) was prescribed for pain management.

Toxicology Results

Toxicological tests detected hydrocodone at a level of 1.2 mg/kg, which is significantly above therapeutic dose levels. Hydrocodone is an opiate compound known to cause drowsiness, mental clouding, and impairment of mental and physical performance.

1990-07-20: Beech B36TC (N72035) — Orlyn L. Jones — Santee, CA