On September 21, 1991, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N82857) operated by Thom, Darrell D. was involved in an aviation accident near Placerville, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AT A HIGH DENSITY AIRPORT WITH THE AIRPLANE EXCEEDING ITS MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A four-place airplane departed with five occupants, exceeding max gross weight, from a high-density altitude airport. Toxicology tests revealed pilot impairment from cocaine metabolite and elevated appetite suppressant drugs.
Overweight Departure
A four-place airplane was loaded with five occupants, exceeding its maximum takeoff gross weight. The aircraft departed from a high-density altitude airport en route to another high-density altitude airport for refueling.
Toxicology Findings
Positive results were obtained during the toxicological analysis routine alcohol and drug tests. The pilot tested positive for benzoylecgonine, phendimetrazine, and phenmetrazine. According to forensic toxicologists, benzoylecgonine is a metabolite of cocaine. Phendimetrazine is a chemical found in prescription appetite suppressants, and phenmetrazine is the metabolite of phendimetrazine. The forensic toxicologist also indicated that the quantities of phendimetrazine and phenmetrazine found in the pilot's system were elevated and exceeded therapeutic levels.
What happened in the 21 Sept 1991 Piper PA-28-161 accident near Placerville, CA?
A four-place airplane departed with five occupants, exceeding max gross weight, from a high-density altitude airport. Toxicology tests revealed pilot impairment from cocaine metabolite and elevated appetite suppressant drugs.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Sept 1991 involved a Piper PA-28-161, registration N82857, operated by Thom, Darrell D., at Placerville, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AT A HIGH DENSITY AIRPORT WITH THE AIRPLANE EXCEEDING ITS MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
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