What happened
During the initial climb following takeoff, the aircraft struck the ground in dark, nighttime conditions. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing fog, which resulted in a visibility of only 1/4 mile and a ceiling of 100 feet. The flight was conducted under an IFR flight plan, and a weather briefing had been obtained prior to departure.
While the pilot sustained serious injuries, there were no mechanical issues identified with the engines, flight instruments, or the overall airworthiness of the aircraft. The pilot, an instrument-rated private pilot, reported no memory of the flight following the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the pilot's medical status revealed the presence of several substances in a urine sample obtained from the treating hospital. Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of ethanol, cocaethylene, and benzoylecgonine, which is a metabolite of cocaine. Because blood samples were unavailable for testing, investigators could not establish the exact timing or the specific quantities of the substances consumed. Although the pilot denied being under the influence of alcohol or cocaine at the time of the accident, the presence of cocaine metabolites and alcohol in the system was a significant finding during the investigation.