Incident Overview
An airplane crashed shortly after performing a low pass over a track vehicle and a group of hunters. According to witnesses, the hunters knew the pilot and passenger. The aircraft was observed executing a nose-high turn before descending and impacting the ground.
Witness Account
One of the hunters, who is also a pilot, reported that the airplane appeared to stall during the turn as it reversed direction. The witness noted the aircraft's nose-high attitude just before the crash.
Postaccident Investigation
A postaccident inspection of the wreckage found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical deficiency. The aircraft's systems and structure showed no signs of failure that could have contributed to the accident.
Toxicological Findings
Toxicological analysis of the pilot’s blood sample detected chlorpheniramine at a concentration of 0.010 mcg/ml, an over-the-counter antihistamine known to have sedative side effects. Additionally, unreported levels of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, both over-the-counter decongestants, were present. The source did not explicitly state whether these substances impaired the pilot.
Conclusion
The accident sequence involved a low pass over a track vehicle and hunters, followed by a nose-high turn that led to a collision with terrain. No mechanical cause was identified, and toxicology results indicated the presence of over-the-counter medications with potential sedative effects.