Accident Details
The flight was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 5. The final radar data showed the airplane at about 1,800 feet above mean sea level, on the localizer course, 2.8 nautical miles from the threshold. A witness on the ground heard the engines increase in power, then heard popping and crashing sounds, and saw the airplane burning on the ground. The wreckage was located in a wooded area 0.7 nautical miles from the runway 5 threshold and about 950 feet to the right of the localizer course centerline.
Mechanical Examination
A thorough inspection of the airframe and engines found no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or failure.
Flight Sequence
The airplane had departed Spartanburg, South Carolina, earlier that morning for a business trip. The pilot flew to Lawrenceville, Georgia; Lexington, Kentucky; and Evansville, Indiana. In Evansville, the last passenger deplaned, and the pilot chose to return to Spartanburg.
Pilot Condition and Toxicology
The pilot's family reported that he had a cold and "had the sniffles." A co-worker observed the pilot with cold symptoms two days before the accident but noted that he appeared fine on the accident day. Toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood detected 0.008 µg/mL of brompheniramine; urine samples contained brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. These are common ingredients in cold medications.
The relevant regulation, Title 14 CFR Part 91.17, prohibits acting as a crewmember while using any drug that adversely affects faculties contrary to safety. However, the accident report did not assign a probable cause.