Accident Overview
The pilot and passenger had been on a local area personal flight lasting about 1.8 hours and were returning to the departure airport. As the airplane entered the traffic pattern and was on the base leg, the airspeed slowed. Witnesses indicated that the airplane appeared to be at a high angle of attack. The airplane stalled, rolled into a spin, and collided with trees and terrain.
Mechanical Examination
No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies was discovered.
Meteorological Conditions
Serious carburetor icing conditions at glide power existed at the time of the accident; however, whether or not the pilot encountered carburetor icing could not be determined with the available evidence.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had limited experience operating at the airport and in the accident airplane make and model.
Toxicology Findings
Toxicological tests were positive for brompheniramine and diphenhydramine. These are sedating antihistamines with adverse effects on performance, often used to treat allergy symptoms. Although the toxicological test result levels differed between the Federal Aviation Administration laboratory and the local toxicological testing, both results were consistent with recent ingestion of a medication containing brompheniramine, which most likely impaired the pilot's judgment and performance of complex cognitive and motor tasks during the flight.