Accident Overview
The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain and a single-family home adjacent to the departure airport. The accident occurred after the pilot took off into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Witnesses observed the airplane descending out of the IMC in a steep right turn over the airport.
Pilot Information
The pilot was not rated for instrument flight. His total flight time over the past seven years was 228 hours, with 7.4 hours in the last year, 4.1 hours in the last 90 days, and no flight time in the last 30 days.
Medical and Toxicological Findings
The pilot had been under treatment for multiple chronic painful conditions and was prescribed tramadol, a prescription narcotic-like painkiller. Toxicological testing revealed a tramadol level several times higher than the maximum expected from the prescribed dose. Common side effects of tramadol include dizziness and sleepiness, and at least one study has noted a decrease in complex task performance with its use. Additionally, the pilot had been treated for anxiety and depression. He withheld information regarding treatment for these conditions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and was issued a third-class medical certificate.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.