Accident Sequence
A pilot who had been involved in a helicopter accident 10 hours and 52 minutes earlier was later involved in an airplane accident. In the helicopter accident, the pilot was flying solo and crashed onto the roof of a house, sustaining minor injuries. No injuries were reported among the three house occupants. The pilot was transported to a hospital, where a blood specimen taken 1 hour 40 minutes after the accident tested positive for ethanol at 136 g/dL (as reported by the hospital) and 105 mg/dL by FAA CAMI analysis. The sample also contained acetone, acetaldehyde, citalopram, and zolpidem. Medical records noted slurred speech at 2300 hours, approximately 1.5 hours after the accident, and the pilot admitted to ingesting ethanol "earlier today." The primary diagnosis was ethanol intoxication and concussion. The pilot was released from the hospital to his parents at 0235 hours on June 4.
On the morning of the airplane accident, the pilot was observed watching television at 0630 hours by his roommate. Before 0710, the pilot taxied the airplane to runway 36. Witnesses reported hearing the pilot abruptly apply power several times before departing about 0709. After takeoff, the flight proceeded northwesterly without contacting Tampa Approach Control or Tampa Air Traffic Control Tower, and orbited for approximately 62 minutes at about 2,200 feet. During the orbit, an inbound airplane was vectored by a controller to identify the orbiting airplane; the pilot of the inbound airplane reported seeing the orbiting pilot in the left seat and believed the pilot was maneuvering to avoid proximity. Attempts to communicate on the departure airport CTAF and on guard frequency (121.5 MHz) were unsuccessful.
After 62 minutes of orbiting, the airplane flew northwesterly for 1.6 minutes, turned 180 degrees right, flew southeasterly for 36 seconds, turned left to a northwesterly heading, and then performed a right 360-degree descending turn. The airplane continued northwesterly until the last radar target was recorded near the accident site. A witness heard the airplane at low altitude and heard the engine revving followed by the impact. Other witnesses heard a steady engine sound until impact. Another witness observed the airplane 30-40 feet above treetops in an 80-degree nose-low attitude on a southeast heading, then saw it collide with trees. Examination of the accident site showed tree damage at decreasing heights. All flight components were attached or near the main wreckage. Flight controls and the engine showed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The flaps were retracted. The No. 1 communication/navigation transceiver was on with maximum volume and set to 119.9 MHz, the frequency for the East Satellite sector of Tampa Air Traffic Control Tower.
Toxicology
The autopsy report listed cause of death as blunt trauma and manner of death as "undetermined." Postmortem toxicology analysis by CAMI was positive for ethanol (69 mg/dL), acetaldehyde (82 mg/dL), citalopram (0.205 ug/ml), and zolpidem (1.54 ug/ml) in blood. Kidney, muscle, liver, and gastric contents also tested positive for various substances. A note indicated that ethanol may be from postmortem formation. The levels of citalopram and zolpidem in postmortem blood were more than 12 times and more than 3 times, respectively, greater than those in the hospital specimen taken after the helicopter accident. Additionally, citalopram and zolpidem were detected in the postmortem gastric specimen.
Medical History
The pilot had been charged with DUI in May 2001 and reported this on his FAA medical application dated June 1, 2001. He pleaded nolo contendere on October 4, 2001. Medical records from his private physician on May 23, 2002, indicated complaints of insomnia and depression. The doctor provided samples of 20 mg Celexa (citalopram) and prescribed 10 mg Ambien (zolpidem). No psychiatric consultation or inquiry regarding suicidal intent or alcohol/drug use was requested.