Incident Overview
An airplane engaged in an aerial survey of whales collided with water at a steep angle approximately 7 miles offshore. The survey was designed to follow a grid pattern at an altitude of 1,000 feet. Upon spotting whales, the flight would descend to between 500 and 750 feet, extend flaps to 10 to 20 degrees, and execute right turns with a 45-degree bank.
Flight Path and Maneuvers
Recorded radar data indicated that the aircraft departed from the prescribed grid pattern and conducted right circling turns within a one-mile radius at 1,000 feet. Subsequently, the flight descended and leveled at 800 feet before further descending to 500 feet. The last recorded ground speed was 61 knots.
Toxicology Findings
Toxicological analysis of the pilot revealed the presence of several substances: 0.008 ug/ml dextromethorphan in blood, dextromethorphan in urine, ephedrine in blood and urine, phenylpropanolamine in urine, and pseudoephedrine in blood and urine. These findings suggested that the pilot likely used at least one medication for upper respiratory symptoms and possibly an herbal supplement containing ephedra within the 24 hours preceding the accident. However, the testing indicated that the pilot was probably not impaired by these substances.