Incident Details
A pilot at a private airstrip was overheard offering a passerby a short airplane ride. The two individuals were last seen walking toward the aircraft. A witness later reported hearing an airplane engine revving as if preparing for takeoff.
Approximately 20 minutes after the witness heard the engine, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in a tree line near the north end of the 2,500-foot sod strip.
Investigation Findings
Investigators examined the wreckage and found no mechanical defects in the airframe or the powerplant. The aircraft appeared to have been in good working condition.
A toxicological test on the pilot revealed a blood ethanol level of 194 mg/dL, indicating significant alcohol consumption. The investigation did not determine a specific cause for the accident.