Piper PA-18-150 N14255

Summary

On 13 September 1997 at about 07:20 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N14255 was involved in an accident near Ethel, Louisiana, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 September 1997 at 07:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Ethel, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.4397, -91.4508

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N14255

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

FTW97FA345

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance. Related factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol and night conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the night flight, in which the non certificated pilot was maneuvering the aircraft in the vicinity of a friend's residence, the aircraft struck trees and descended uncontrolled to the ground. The Investigator in Charge estimated his flight time at 371 hours. Flight control and engine continuity were confirmed. No evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found. Toxicological testing was performed by a medical laboratory, a state crime laboratory, and CAMI. All were positive for alcohol. According to Dr. Canfield, CAMI, 'the 189.00 (mg/dL, mg/hg)(.189%) ethanol detected in blood, 181.000 (mg.dL, mg/hg)(.181%) ethanol detected in vitreous fluid, and 251.000 (mg/dL, mg/hg)(.251%) ethanol detected in urine, indicate recent ingestion of alcohol. In his opinion, these levels of ethanol would cause impairment of the pilot.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.