On July 23, 1993, a Cessna 175B (registration N8264T) was involved in an aviation accident near Blythe, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE CABLE DUE TO DRUG IMPAIRMENT. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL BUZZING, HIS OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE OVER THE RIVER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane struck a marked cable while flying at low altitude over a river, buzzing onlookers. Pilot's toxicology showed cocaine metabolites.
Incident Overview
An airplane was observed flying down a river at altitudes no more than 50 feet above the water, buzzing various onlookers. Several witnesses were able to describe the pilot's dress and overt mannerisms as the airplane flew by.
Collision with Cable
The airplane struck a 1-inch cable that stretches across the span of the river. The cable was marked with white paint at 10-foot increments. The accident site was located 1 mile north of a trailer community.
Toxicology Results
The pilot's toxicology results were positive for benzoylecgonine (0.047 ug/mL blood, 0.092 ug/mL lung fluid, 13.500 ug/mL urine), cocaine (0.155 ug/mL urine), and ecgonine methyl ester (0.525 ug/mL urine).