Weather Briefing and Initial Approach
A pilot received a weather briefing before departing on a coastal route he had flown before. The FAA Flight Service Station briefer advised that VFR flight was not recommended due to low visibility, clouds, and rain.
Communication with Tower
The pilot contacted the destination airport control tower, stating he was five miles west of Juneau International Airport. The controller responded that the airport was VFR, but conditions were lower to the west, and two other airplanes to the west were unable to land because of poor weather. The pilot indicated he would try to reach the airport from another direction.
Final Moments and Wreckage
About nine minutes after the initial transmission, the pilot radioed that he was "turning around." Seconds later, the controller heard an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal. The airplane wreckage was located at an elevation of about 500 feet mean sea level on an island, approximately three miles south of the destination airport. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces.
Toxicology Findings
A postmortem toxicology test revealed the presence of Chlorpheniramine and Dextromethorphan in the pilot's blood and urine. Chlorpheniramine is found in over-the-counter cold remedies, with a warning stating: "Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine as it may cause drowsiness." Dextromethorphan is used as a cough suppressant.