Incident Overview
An agricultural airplane was being flown to a winter wheat field for fertilizer application. As the aircraft approached from about a quarter mile north of the field, its right wing impacted an antenna tower. The impact severed the outboard section of the right wing, causing the airplane to enter an uncontrolled descent and collide with the ground.
Pilot Background
According to the operator, the pilot was familiar with the area and had previously worked this field. Toxicology tests conducted on the pilot's blood revealed the presence of fluoxetine (Prozac, an antidepressant) at 0.642 mcg/ml, norfluoxetine (a metabolite of fluoxetine) at 0.676 mcg/ml, tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (a metabolite of marihuana) in an undetermined amount, and phenylpropanolamine. Urine tests showed 0.020 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, as well as undetermined amounts of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. Fluoxetine was not approved by the FAA for use by this pilot while flying.
Sequence of Events
The agricultural airplane was en route to a field of winter wheat for the purpose of applying fertilizer. When the aircraft was approximately one-quarter mile north of the intended field, the right wing made contact with an antenna tower. The collision resulted in the outboard section of the right wing being severed. Subsequently, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and ultimately struck the ground.
Relevant Information
The pilot had prior experience with the area and had worked the same field before. Toxicology analysis of the pilot's blood and urine samples identified multiple substances, including antidepressants and a metabolite of marihuana. One of the medications detected, fluoxetine, was not authorized by the FAA for use by the pilot during flight operations.