Accident Overview
A sightseeing flight ended when the aircraft impacted terrain after the pilot became distracted by a map. The accident occurred while the pilot was operating at low altitude, between 50 and 100 feet above ground level.
Flight Narrative
According to the investigation, the pilot was conducting sightseeing activities when concern arose about inadvertently entering a nearby national wildlife refuge. To address this concern, the pilot began examining a map. At the same time, the passenger also looked at the map. While both occupants were focused on the map, the airplane descended and struck the ground.
Toxicology Findings
Following the accident, toxicology testing was performed on the pilot at a local hospital. The analysis detected the presence of several substances in the pilot's urine: butalbital at a concentration of 323 ng/ml, codeine at 1,260 ng/ml, and morphine at 960 ng/ml. The source does not specify whether these substances were medically prescribed or their impact on pilot performance.
No information is provided regarding injuries, aircraft damage, or environmental conditions at the time of the accident.