Accident Details
A pilot rented an airplane from a fixed base operator (FBO) that had stayed open beyond normal hours to accommodate the late rental. The pilot departed with one passenger under dark night conditions. Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, witnesses observed the airplane flying on a southeasterly heading at an altitude between 1,000 and 1,500 feet above ground level, with wings level and the engine running. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a steep right bank and dove toward the ground. The airplane impacted the ground in a wings-level, nose-down attitude on a heading of west, about 2.5 miles southwest of the airport. The airplane disintegrated during impact.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact part failure or malfunction. A toxicology test of the pilot's blood was positive for diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine, at a concentration of 0.3 mg/L, which is within a therapeutic range. Diphenhydramine was not approved for use while flying. The final report did not identify a probable cause for the accident.