On March 30, 2007, a Ryan NAVION A (registration N4369K) operated by Grant H. Lindeman was involved in an aviation accident near Los Banos, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's intentional performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane structure. Also causal was the pilot's impairment due to the effects of alcohol consumption. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot and passenger each consumed at least 8–10 beers before a flight involving aerobatic maneuvers. Radar data revealed high-angle turns and speeds between structural cruise limit and never exceed. The aircraft broke up in flight; toxicology tests on the pilot showed alcohol and hydrocodone.
Preflight Activities
Prior to the flight, the pilot and passenger had each consumed at least 8 to 10 beers. They departed from a local bar where patrons overheard discussions about performing "crazy" aerobatics.
Flight Maneuvers
Recorded radar data from the flight was reviewed. During the last 10 minutes of the flight, the pilot performed high angle turns and pitch-up maneuvers. In the final 30 seconds, the pitch angle increased to approximately 20 degrees and the vertical speed rose to about 2,500 feet per minute. The speed profile showed the aircraft operated mostly between the structural cruise limit and never exceed speeds.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane experienced an in-flight breakup. All fracture surfaces were consistent with overload separations.
Toxicological Findings
Post-accident toxicological tests on specimens from the pilot found a blood ethanol level of 222 mg/dL (0.222 percent) and hydrocodone in the blood at a level of 0.02 mg/L.