The Incident
Shortly after midnight, a pilot and three acquaintances departed on a pleasure flight. The weather conditions at the time featured ceiling and visibility below approach minima. The aircraft subsequently crashed near the airport.
Evidence at the Scene
Examination of the wreckage indicated that both engine power and electrical power were present at the moment of impact. Investigators found numerous beer cans inside and around the wreckage, suggesting that several members of the group had been consuming beer before proceeding to the airport.
Toxicology Report
The pilot's toxicological analysis detected ethanol in multiple specimens: 79 mg/dL (0.079%) in blood, 77 mg/dL in vitreous fluid, 89 mg/dL in bile, and 110 mg/dL in urine.