What happened
An aircraft accident occurred during a flight intended to demonstrate a newly acquired twin-engine airplane to acquaintances. According to witnesses and associates of the pilot, the flight involved flying over a residential area to showcase the aircraft. During the flight, the pilot was observed performing high-speed, low-altitude aerobatic maneuvers. The sequence of events concluded when the aircraft struck trees and subsequently impacted the terrain.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage and the pilot's medical history uncovered several critical factors. A 1.75-liter bottle of whiskey was recovered from the debris. While the pilot's FAA medical records indicated a previous history of alcohol dependence, he had reportedly maintained sobriety for nearly four years prior to the accident. However, toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood following the crash showed a concentration of 0.252 milligrams of alcohol per deciliter. This level of alcohol impairment was more than six times the legal limit of 0.040 milligrams per deciliter permitted by Federal Aviation Regulations for pilots in command.