On September 25, 1999, a North American T-6-SNJ-5 (registration N23ZH) was involved in an aviation accident near Nashville, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed which resulted in a stall and the loss of control. A factor was pilot impairment due to the use of drugs. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Eyewitnesses reported an airplane at 1000-800 ft, entering a nose-low attitude and rolling inverted before disappearing. The aircraft struck a tree. Investigation found no mechanical failure, but toxicology detected cocaine metabolite and antihistamine.
Eyewitness Accounts
Multiple eyewitnesses observed the airplane in the immediate vicinity of the accident site and flying over the city at altitudes between 1000 and 800 feet above the ground. One witness reported that the airplane entered a nose-low attitude, rolled inverted, and then disappeared behind buildings. Another witness near the accident site saw the airplane as it collided with a tree.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airframe and engine assemblies failed to disclose any mechanical malfunction or component failure. The investigation focused on the pilot's toxicological status.
Toxicological Results
The toxicological examinations detected Benzoylecgonine in both the blood and liver specimens. Benzoylecgonine is an inactive metabolite of cocaine. Additionally, 0.073 ug/ml and 0.327 ug/ml of Chlorpheniramine were detected in the blood and liver specimens, respectively. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine commonly used in over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations.