Casualties unknown

2005-11-29: Navion G (N2455T) — Scott Hester — Imperial, CA

Imperial, CA, US

On November 29, 2005, a Navion G (registration N2455T) operated by Scott Hester was involved in an aviation accident near Imperial, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree and transmission wires while performing a low altitude maneuver. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment and performance due to alcohol ingestion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane struck a tree and transmission wires during a low pass over a barbecue gathering. Post-accident toxicology revealed the pilot had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.

Accident Overview

An airplane collided with a tree and transmission wires while executing a low pass maneuver over a barbecue gathering. The aircraft had made several low-altitude passes prior to the accident. During the final pass, the left wing struck a tree situated near the barbecue grill. Following the initial impact, pieces of the wing fell to the ground. The remaining skin on the left wing separated as the airplane flew into transmission wires, hit soft terrain, and flipped inverted.

Post-Accident Examination

A post-accident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction or failure of the airframe or engine. Toxicological tests conducted on the pilot were positive for ethyl alcohol, with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent (W/V). The pilot had taken off between 1 and 1.5 hours prior to the accident.

Sequence of Events

The accident sequence began with multiple low-altitude passes over the barbecue area. On the final pass, the left wing impacted a tree near the grill. Debris from the wing fell to the ground. Subsequently, the aircraft encountered transmission wires, which stripped the remaining wing skin before the airplane impacted soft terrain and came to rest inverted.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051207X01946. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.