Accident Overview
On September 21, 2015, at approximately 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N347SP, operated by Certified Flyers, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain while maneuvering after takeoff from Butter Valley Golf Port (7N8) in Bally, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot incurred minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions; no flight plan was filed for the intended flight to Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU), New Jersey.
Pilot and Witness Accounts
According to the pilot's written statement, he flew from MMU to 7N8 without incident and then departed for the return trip. During initial climb at about 800 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a partial loss of power, with the tachometer indicating approximately 1,500 rpm. The pilot attempted to land straight ahead but, due to powerlines, executed a left descending turn. Believing he could not glide back to the airport, he elected to land in a nearby field. During landing, the landing gear struck a fence and the airplane came to rest inverted.
An emergency medical service (EMS) report noted bystanders' statements that the engine sputtered, the pilot flew over high-tension lines, and as the engine cut out, he attempted to turn back toward Butter Valley. Bystanders reported the airplane lost altitude quickly, dropped under the lines, cleared the towers, and then made a hard landing.
A 911-caller, driving a dump truck, reported the airplane passed about 20 feet above his truck, proceeded under powerlines, and banked right. He stated it appeared the pilot was “having fun or showing off”; he could hear the engine but could not determine the power setting. After driving to the site, he called 911 and assisted the pilot.
Another witness observed a white single-engine airplane circling near her home, executing sharp turns, diving, and pulling up. The engine sputtered and stalled at least once, then started again when the airplane pulled up. She was concerned the airplane might hit her house and described the pilot's actions as reckless or stunt-like.
A third witness, who worked at 7N8, saw a white airplane with blue and yellow stripes land between 1800 and 1830, approaching faster and in a tighter pattern than usual. The airplane made a sharp turn over parked aircraft; its right wing dipped low over the runway but did not contact it. The wings leveled as engine noise increased. The witness did not see the subsequent takeoff.
A fourth witness observed the airplane flying erratically, at one point “flying on its side,” and noted the pilot seemed to be flying aggressively for several minutes. He did not hear abnormal engine sounds.
A fifth witness saw the airplane with one wing pointed toward the ground and the other skyward; it disappeared behind a fence row and dust rose.
A sixth witness reported watching the airplane fly in a 90-degree right bank for about 10 seconds, “wingtip to wingtip,” as it maneuvered under powerlines and between two utility towers, then leveled and struck the ground.
Wreckage Examination
FAA inspectors observed substantial damage to the right wing, consistent with a right-wing-low impact, and a collapsed nose landing gear. Impact marks in the soybean field indicated a high-angle right bank turn toward and under the powerlines. A strong odor of fuel was noted; both fuel tanks were nearly full after recovery.
A fuel sample from the engine-driven fuel pump was consistent with 100LL aviation gasoline and showed no visible contamination. A successful engine test run was performed: the engine started immediately on the second attempt (using ether as primer due to a damaged electric fuel pump) and ran continuously without hesitation at multiple power settings, including full power, for several minutes before shutdown.
Toxicology Results
Toxicology testing by the FAA's Bioaeronautical Research Laboratory on blood and urine specimens obtained during the pilot’s initial postaccident medical care identified:
- Alprazolam in blood (0.123 µg/ml) and urine, and its metabolite alpha-hydroxyalprazolam in urine.
- Lorazepam in blood (0.03 µg/ml) and urine.
- Sertraline and its metabolite desmethylsertraline in urine and blood.
- Ondansetron in urine.
The pilot’s most recent first-class medical certificate was issued on April 7, 2015; he reported no medical conditions or medications on the application.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a Schedule IV benzodiazepine for anxiety, with usual therapeutic range 0.0060–0.0200 µg/ml; levels above 0.100 are considered toxic. Lorazepam (Ativan) is also a benzodiazepine with warnings against operating machinery. Sertraline (Zoloft) is an antidepressant.