Piper PA-28-200 N33322

Summary

On 3 February 1997 at about 22:20 local time, a Piper PA-28-200 registered N33322 was involved in an accident near Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 February 1997 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

34.9893, -99.2394

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-200

Registration

N33322

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Altus → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97FA100

3 people died.

the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude (clearance above a lake), while performing aerobatic flight. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an aircraft that was not certified for aerobatic flight, and possible pilot distraction (diverted attention), when the engine momentarily lost power due to fuel starvation during inverted flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot met his two passengers at an airport where he purchased 10 gal of fuel. The airport attendant estimated that there was about 1 inch of fuel in each wing tank before he added 5 gal to each tank. The pilot commented to the attendant, 'let me see if I can't scar these guys to death.' Witnesses observed the airplane flying over a lodge area. They said the airplane was 'tilting at 90 degree angles on its wings.' Also, they reported the airplane went 'inverted,' and then nosed down and disappeared from view. It then crashed in a lake and was destroyed by impact. One witness stated that 'the motor was making a noise, as if it was getting gas and then not getting gas.' Another witness observed the airplane earlier that day doing 'tricks and stunts.' The airplane was restricted from inverted flight and was not approved for acrobatic maneuvers. During examination of the wreckage, flight control continuity was established, and no anomalies were found that would have resulted in a loss of power. Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood showed 0.008 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana), 0.014 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana), and 0.052 mcg/ml alprazolam. Tests of his urine showed 0.695 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, 0.071 mcg/ml dihydrocodeine, 0.155 mcg/ml hydrocodone, 0.338 mcg/ml hydromorphone, 4.8 mcg/ml acetaminophen, and an undetermined amount of alprazolam and alph-hydroxalprazolam. According to the FAA's Southwest Regional Flight Surgeon, 'the combined effects of these drugs would have caused impairment in the cockpit.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.