Accident Overview
A pilot conducted a night takeoff from a private airport under dark night conditions. At the time, the airport's pilot-controlled runway lighting controller was malfunctioning, a fact that had been communicated to airport users. While the runway lights could be activated manually upon request, the president of the airport landowners association reported that the pilot did not request the lights be turned on for the accident flight.
The pilot was current for night flight per Federal Aviation Regulations but had not flown at night for nearly two months and had logged only 15.2 total hours of night flight time.
Witness Account
A witness observed the aircraft become airborne and, approximately two minutes later, heard a very loud thud, after which the engine noise ceased.
Investigation Findings
Investigators who responded to the scene found no evidence of aircraft or engine malfunction. They photographed the airplane's vertical speed indicator, which was captured at a 1,900-foot-per-minute descent rate indication.
Toxicological Results
Toxicology tests conducted on the pilot revealed the presence of 0.094 µg/ml diphenhydramine (Benadryl), a sedating antihistamine, in the pilot's blood; 0.152 µg/ml diphenhydramine in liver fluid; and 33.400 µg/ml acetaminophen (Tylenol) in lung fluid.