Accident Details
On July 11, 2018, about 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, registration N50183, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeview, Arkansas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The student pilot reported that after takeoff from the grass airstrip at a resort, the left wing impacted a tree branch. He overcorrected from the impact and aerodynamically stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a grass clearing and came to rest inverted near trees. The pilot was extracted from the wreckage and transported via air ambulance helicopter to a hospital for medical treatment.
The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.
Witness Account
A witness reported that prior to the accident, she observed the student pilot with a white cup, and the pilot told her the cup contained a margarita. She further stated that she had observed him about three times at the resort with two cups "every time." The pilot invited the witness for a ride in his airplane, but she declined. About five minutes later, she heard the accident and observed "all the cups" at the accident site. Local law enforcement found liquid believed to be alcohol in a white cup in the wreckage.
Pilot Information
The student pilot had reported no chronic medical conditions and only the use of finasteride to the Federal Aviation Administration. After the accident, he reported to his health care providers that he had muscle spasms, major depression, hypertension, and was taking baclofen, bupropion, a combination tablet of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, as well as finasteride to treat these conditions. He also admitted that he drank alcohol during the afternoon before the flight. The student pilot refused a blood draw from law enforcement, and no clinical toxicology test was performed.
The student pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.