Casualties unknown

Stall and Spin into Water Following Low Pass Near Marina (N13910)

St. Augustine, FL, US

On April 22, 1992, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N13910) operated by Michael L. King was involved in an aviation accident near St. Augustine, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-level maneuver, resulting in a stall and spin, due to his ingestion of marijuana. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft stalled and entered a spin after a low-level pass near a marina, resulting in a crash into the water. The pilot tested positive for marijuana.

What happened

Witnesses reported that the airplane conducted two passes near a marina at an approximate altitude of 100 feet. During the second pass, traveling from west to east, the aircraft pulled up sharply while engine power was observed increasing. At approximately 400 feet, the aircraft stalled and entered a left spin before impacting the water.

The investigation

Post-accident toxicological testing of the pilot yielded positive results for tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, a metabolite associated with marijuana use. The concentration detected in the blood was 0.002 ug/ml.

Findings

The crash was attributed to stall during the maneuver following the low pass. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana. The aircraft entered a spin from which recovery was not possible before impact with the water surface.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-level maneuver, resulting in a stall and spin, due to his ingestion of marijuana.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14486. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.