Accident Sequence
The airplane impacted terrain approximately two minutes after departing from an airport located about 0.9 miles south of the accident site. Witnesses observed the airplane enter a left bank turn at an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level before it struck the ground. The impact was consistent with a low-speed, nose-down trajectory.
Aircraft Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The airframe, engine, and systems showed no evidence of pre-existing failures or malfunctions.
Toxicology Report
Toxicology testing performed on the pilot detected the presence of diphenhydramine in both blood and urine specimens. The blood concentration was 0.058 micrograms per milliliter (or micrograms per gram). Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, severe nausea, and itching, and is known to have sedative effects.