On June 29, 1992, a Beech A36TC (registration N3696R) operated by Huntley, Gene was involved in an aviation accident near Ballantine, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AND HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE HILLY TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A non-instrument rated pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions, requested a special VFR clearance, and lost radio/radar contact at 4,000 ft MSL. The aircraft struck cloud-obscured terrain near a hilltop. Toxicology found elevated quinidine levels.
Incident Overview
A non-instrument rated pilot operated a visual flight rules (VFR) flight that encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot requested a special VFR clearance to enter the control zone and land at the destination. Subsequently, radio and radar contact with the flight was lost at 4,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) in the vicinity of the accident site.
Impact Details
The aircraft impacted upsloping terrain that was obscured in clouds, near the top of a hill at 4,000 feet MSL.
Toxicology
Toxicological tests indicated the presence of quinidine, a prescribed medication, at a concentration of 57.7 micrograms per milliliter in the blood. The normal therapeutic concentration range in plasma is 2.0 to 6.0 micrograms per milliliter.