1994-09-15: Piper PA-23-250 — Beaver Island, MI

Casualties unknown • Beaver Island, MI, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S BUZZING AND HIS IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER TREES PERFORMING A SERIES OF PITCH UP AND DOWN MANEUVERS, TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, THEN DESCEND STRAIGHT DOWN INTO TREES. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO AIRFRAME OR CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE COUNTY SHERIFF STATED HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER DURING HIS ON-SCENE ACTIVITIES. THE PILOT'S AUTOPSY IDENTIFIED 0.06 GM OF ETHANOL PER 100 GM OF LIVER TISSUE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-09-15 Piper PA-23-250 accident near Beaver Island, MI?

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER TREES PERFORMING A SERIES OF PITCH UP AND DOWN MANEUVERS, TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, THEN DESCEND STRAIGHT DOWN INTO TREES. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO AIRFRAME OR CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE COUNTY SHERIFF STATED HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PILOT AND…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-09-15 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N13909, at Beaver Island, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S BUZZING AND HIS IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02192. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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