Witness Observations
A witness reported seeing an airplane appear over a terrain rise from the west, flying in an easterly direction. The aircraft circled twice at an altitude below 1,000 feet above ground level. It then turned west in a slight descent and struck the ground at a high rate of speed.
Pilot Medical History
The pilot had a long history of alcohol abuse, beginning at age 16. He received inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence in 1993. Documentation provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted the pilot was at high risk for relapse. His initial application for a third-class medical certificate and student pilot certificate in 1995 was denied. In 1997, he obtained a valid medical certificate but was cautioned by the FAA that any further alcohol-related offenses or evidence of abuse could require re-evaluation. From 1995 through 1999, additional FAA documentation indicated the pilot had been completely abstinent from alcohol since his 1993 treatment. However, information submitted to the FAA in 2000 stated the pilot was drinking about a six-pack of beer per week and had elevated liver enzymes. The FAA did not request further evaluation after receiving that information.
Toxicology Results
Toxicological analysis of specimens from the pilot revealed the following ethanol concentrations: 263 mg/dL (0.263%) in blood, 275 mg/dL (0.275%) in urine, 235 mg/dL (0.235%) in vitreous, and 190 mg/dL (0.190%) in brain.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe, engine, and associated logbooks did not reveal any pre-existing anomalies that would have prevented normal operations.