Accident Overview
An airplane collided with transmission wires spanning a river, according to witness reports. After the collision, the aircraft caught fire. The pilot managed to land the airplane in an open field, where it was subsequently consumed by the fire.
Investigation Findings
A deputy sheriff investigating the accident reported a strong odor of alcohol on the pilot's breath. The pilot was administered a field sobriety test at the accident scene and later at a jail, both of which he failed. The pilot then refused to submit to a chemical blood alcohol test.
With authorization from the district attorney, a blood sample was forcibly taken from the pilot for toxicological examination. The sample was collected approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes after the accident. Laboratory results indicated a blood alcohol level of 0.12%.
Additional Details
No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, or the pilot's condition was provided in the source.