What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-09-03 involved a Cessna 310R, registration N502SB, at Blain, PA.

In-Flight Breakup During Night Descent; Pilot Tested Positive for Marijuana Metabolites (N502SB)

On September 3, 1994, a Cessna 310R (registration N502SB) was involved in an aviation accident near Blain, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE AIRPLANE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An aircraft broke up in flight during a night descent from 9,000 to 7,000 feet in visual conditions. Debris scattered over 1,500 feet, with structural failures observed. Toxicology detected marijuana metabolites in the pilot, who had been awake for about 19 hours after a construction workday.

Accident Details

The aircraft was in a cruise descent from 9,000 to 7,000 feet at night under visual meteorological conditions. According to recorded radar data, the airplane's altitude increased by 200 feet before radar contact was lost at 7,800 feet.

Witness Observations

Witnesses observed the airplane in a steep descent and heard a loud whine.

Wreckage Examination

The airplane sustained an inflight airframe separation. Debris was scattered over a distance of about 1,500 feet. The horizontal stabilizers and elevators were found near the beginning of the wreckage path, followed by the fuselage, and ending with the engines and propellers. The left horizontal stabilizer had failed downward and aft. The left wing outboard of the left engine had failed downward and was found 600 feet left of the debris trail. Wrinkles in two directions and popped rivets were found on both wings.

Toxicology and Pilot Condition

Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood revealed 0.002 µg/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active component of marijuana) and 0.011 µg/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH, a marijuana metabolite). A test of the pilot's urine showed 0.305 µg/mL of THC-COOH. The pilot had worked a full-time construction job during the day and had been awake for about 19 hours.

1994-09-03: Cessna 310R (N502SB) — Blain, PA