Casualties unknown

1997-04-19: Beech C23 (N6005T) — Sam H. Morton — Athens, GA

Athens, GA, US

On April 19, 1997, a Beech C23 (registration N6005T) operated by Sam H. Morton was involved in an aviation accident near Athens, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: pilot impairment of judgment and performance, due to alcohol; and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering at low altitude at night. Darkness was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane parked on a ramp at 2100 was found crashed the next morning; eyewitnesses reported low flying before impact. Examination found no mechanical failure, but toxicology tests on the pilot revealed elevated alcohol levels. Keys recovered from the ignition did not match the aircraft registration.

Incident Overview

An airplane, identified by its tail number N6005T, was parked on a ramp at a maintenance facility at 2100. The following morning, the owner arrived to find the aircraft missing. After learning of an accident in a nearby city, the owner traveled to the site and confirmed that the crashed airplane was his.

Eyewitness Accounts

An eyewitness near the accident site reported seeing the airplane flying low over the city minutes before the accident. Another witness heard the sound of the engine, followed by the sound of the airplane colliding with trees and a house.

Examination Findings

Examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical malfunction or subsystem failure.

Toxicological Results

Toxicology tests of the pilot indicated a blood alcohol level of 180 mg/dL (0.180%) and an alcohol level of 245 mg/dL (0.245%) in vitreous fluid.

Key Mismatch

The owner of the airplane stated that the keys for N6005T remained in his possession. However, the keys recovered from the ignition switch of the crashed aircraft displayed the tail number 6623P.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07660. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.