Accident Overview
A private pilot was seriously injured after his airplane impacted terrain while attempting to land at night on an unlighted, unpaved private airstrip. The airstrip was located atop a ridge in a rural area, approximately five miles from the nearest town. The ridge, oriented northeast-southwest, rose about 300 feet above the surrounding terrain, while the airstrip itself was oriented approximately east-west.
The pilot reported that during the final approach to the airstrip, he encountered a downdraft. The airplane subsequently struck the southwest side of the ridge. According to first responders, the airplane hit a tree before impacting terrain and came to rest after a very short distance.
Aircraft Damage
The right wing of the airplane was crushed and displaced aft, and the fuselage also sustained substantial damage. The pilot was able to extract himself from the wreckage and used his mobile phone to summon assistance. About two hours after the accident, he was airlifted to a hospital.
Pilot Toxicology and Medical Status
Interviews with hospital medical personnel and blood tests conducted at least three hours after the accident revealed that the pilot appeared intoxicated. He admitted to using methadone and morphine on a daily basis and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.246 grams per deciliter. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations prohibit the operation of an aircraft by individuals with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.040 grams per deciliter or greater. Additionally, the pilot did not hold a valid FAA medical certificate.
The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical deficiencies or failures of the airplane prior to the impact.