On June 7, 1997, a Piper PA-25 (registration N6339Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Sullivan, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for flight into IMC. Factors were: the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his inadequate evaluation of the weather, and fog. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot departed with inaccurate charts, continued VFR into IMC, and struck a 971-foot tower. Visibility was 100 yards in fog. Toxicology showed high levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine.
Background
The pilot began the flight using charts that did not accurately depict the area overflown. The aircraft was not equipped or certified for instrument flight conditions.
Sequence of Events
After departure, the pilot continued visual flight rules (VFR) operations despite encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). While in cruise flight, the airplane impacted a 971-foot tower at a point 30 feet below its top. A witness at the accident site reported that visibility was restricted to 100 yards due to fog.
Findings
Toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood revealed high levels of fluoxetine (marketed as Prozac) and norfluoxetine, a metabolite of fluoxetine. No other contributing factors are specified in the source material.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…