Accident Description
The airplane was observed at an altitude of approximately 100 to 125 feet while in the traffic pattern. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time. The airplane was seen to execute a very steep left turn, during which it lost altitude and subsequently collided with terrain.
Examination Findings
A thorough examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories revealed no evidence of any precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. All examined components appeared to be functioning normally prior to impact.
Toxicology
Toxicological testing performed on the pilot detected 0.020 µg/ml of desalkylflurazepam in the blood. Desalkylflurazepam is an active metabolite of flurazepam, a hypnotic agent with a long half-life of several days. Flurazepam is used for the treatment of insomnia.