1994-02-11: Cessna A185F — Sterling Hgts, MI

Casualties unknown • Sterling Hgts, MI, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) FROM OBSTACLES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE UNLIGHTED TOWER.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE OBSERVED DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT A SOCIAL GATHERING BEFORE THE FLIGHT. LATER, THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED HEADING NORTH IN LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT NEAR THE BUILDING WHERE THE SOCIAL GATHERING WAS BEING HELD. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN, AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED AN UNLIGHTED TOWER, THEN IT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE, THE TERRAIN, AND A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. TOXICOLOGY TESTS REVEALED THE PILOT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 248 MG/DL (0.248%) AND HIS URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 63 MG/DL (0.063%).

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-02-11 Cessna A185F accident near Sterling Hgts, MI?

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE OBSERVED DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT A SOCIAL GATHERING BEFORE THE FLIGHT. LATER, THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED HEADING NORTH IN LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT NEAR THE BUILDING WHERE THE SOCIAL GATHERING WAS BEING HELD. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN, AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED AN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-02-11 involved a Cessna A185F, registration N53064, at Sterling Hgts, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) FROM OBSTACLES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE UNLIGHTED TOWER.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X00721. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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