On November 8, 1998, a Beech B19 (registration N9740L) operated by Steve J Casida was involved in an aviation accident near Hobart, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot, who was not instrument rated, continued flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in the aircraft impacting terrain during maneuvers. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot flying in dark night instrument meteorological conditions impacted terrain while maneuvering, according to witness reports of a steep descent and subsequent explosion.
What happened
Witnesses located approximately 2.5 miles west of the accident site observed an aircraft descending out of the clouds with its navigation lights visible before ascending back into the cloud layer. One witness described the weather conditions as foggy and within instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), noting that the airplane appeared to be searching for the airport. Another observer reported seeing the aircraft enter a steep rate of descent before pulling up and disappearing into the clouds; several minutes later, an explosion and flames were seen over a nearby hill.
Weather observations taken six minutes prior to the accident indicated visibility of 1 3/4 miles in mist with an overcast ceiling at 200 feet AGL. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, continued flight into these dark night IMC conditions, and the aircraft eventually impacted terrain during maneuvers.
The investigation
Investigators found no anomalies with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented the normal operation of the aircraft. A review of records indicated that the pilot had not obtained a preflight weather briefing. Post-accident toxicology testing revealed levels of Norfluoxetine (a metabolite of Prozac) in the liver (1.182 mg/dl) and blood (0.055 mg/dl), but these concentrations were determined to be insufficient to cause impairment.
Probable cause
The pilot, who was not instrument rated, continued flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in the aircraft impacting terrain during maneuvers.