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Casualties unknown

Pilot with Elevated Blood Alcohol Crashes Shortly After Takeoff (N7068G)

Shirley, NY, US

On May 8, 1999, a Cessna 172K (registration N7068G) was involved in an aviation accident near Shirley, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to intoxication. A factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to conduct the flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot took off into low overcast with limited visibility after a phone call from his aunt. The aircraft crashed less than a mile from the airport. Toxicology tests showed high ethanol concentrations in the pilot's blood and vitreous fluid.

Accident Overview

On the night of the accident, a commercial pilot spoke with his aunt by telephone. She expressed a desire to see him immediately. The pilot obtained a thorough weather briefing and filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan for a planned one-hour flight.

Departure and Weather Conditions

The pilot took off into a 200-foot overcast ceiling with visibility of 2 statute miles. These conditions were consistent with the weather briefing he had received.

Crash Details

The airplane crashed less than one mile from the departure airport. No further information about the crash site or the aircraft's condition was provided in the source.

Toxicology Findings

Toxicological testing revealed ethanol concentrations of 0.235% in the pilot's blood and 0.255% in his vitreous fluid. These levels exceeded typical legal limits for operating a motor vehicle, but the source does not attribute the accident to impairment or state any causal relationship.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 May 1999 Cessna 172K accident near Shirley, NY?

A commercial pilot took off into low overcast with limited visibility after a phone call from his aunt. The aircraft crashed less than a mile from the airport. Toxicology tests showed high ethanol concentrations in the pilot's blood and vitreous fluid.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 May 1999 involved a Cessna 172K, registration N7068G, at Shirley, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to intoxication. A factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to conduct the flight.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18849. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.