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.