Aircraft located 22 days after disappearance

Casualties unknown • Phillips, WI, US

An aircraft traveling for a business meeting was located following an extensive search, having impacted trees in foggy and rainy conditions.

What happened

The pilot was conducting a flight intended for a business meeting when the aircraft became overdue. Following an extensive search operation, the wreckage was located 22 days after the flight's disappearance. The aircraft had struck trees and traveled 165 feet before coming to rest at an elevation of 1,800 feet MSL.

On the morning of the accident, local authorities reported that weather conditions in the vicinity consisted of fog and light rain.

The investigation

An examination of the wreckage was performed, which did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction.

A toxicological examination of the pilot was conducted. Results showed 6.24 ug/ml of Diphenhydramine detected in the liver and 24.4 ug/ml of Paroxetine detected in the liver. Additionally, 0.208 ug/ml of Paroxetine was detected in the muscle. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used in over-the-counter allergy and cold medications, while Paroxetine is a prescription antidepressant used to treat panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-08-04 Cessna A185F accident near Phillips, WI?

An aircraft traveling for a business meeting was located following an extensive search, having impacted trees in foggy and rainy conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-08-04 involved a Cessna A185F, registration N888KS, at Phillips, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance with trees. Contributing factors were fog, rain showers, and the trees.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10788. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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