Background
A pilot canceled his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance and flew to his private airstrip. The strip was located in a rural area with limited ground lighting. Only the first 1,500 feet of the runway were equipped with medium intensity runway lighting (MIRL). To the south of the strip was a large military maneuvering area that had no lighting.
Accident Sequence
The pilot entered a right traffic pattern for landing on Runway 36 in dark night conditions. As he was maneuvering to land, witnesses observed the airplane enter a steep descent. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a steep nose-down, right wing low attitude.
Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed evidence that the spoilers were extended at the time of impact. Toxicological tests of the pilot's liver and kidney tissue showed 0.74 µg/mL and 0.159 µg/mL, respectively, of brompheniramine, an antihistamine. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) toxicologist stated that these levels were within a therapeutic range. According to the pilot's son, the pilot had taken Drixoral for sinus problems and a slight head cold; the medication was not approved for flying.