On May 6, 1997, a Grumman G-164A (registration N7926) operated by Joseph F. Dion was involved in an aviation accident near Rosalia, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were, hilly terrain conditions and impairment due to recent use of marihuana. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Grumman G-164A spray plane impacted hilly terrain with its tail wheel and main gear, nosed over on a paved road, and burned. Toxicological tests detected recent marijuana use in the pilot.
Accident Narrative
The pilot-in-command departed the airport in a Grumman G-164A spray plane. While en route to the destination field and overflying hilly terrain, the aircraft's tail wheel impacted the ground, followed by the main gear. The aircraft continued over an embankment, nosing over while crossing a paved road, before coming to rest and burning.
Aircraft and Load
The aircraft was a Grumman G-164A. There was no evidence that the pilot jettisoned the 2,040-pound herbicide load. Propeller slash marks early in the ground track indicated high engine RPM at the initial ground impact.
Toxicological Analysis
Toxicological evaluation of samples from the pilot-in-command revealed 0.002 ug/ml of Tetrahydrocannabinol detected in blood, 0.08 ug/ml of Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid detected in blood, and 0.035 ug/ml of Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid detected in urine. These levels indicate fairly recent (within several hours) use of Marihuana.