Capstaff CHALLENGER II UNREG
21 May 1997 · Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 21 May 1997 at about 00:30 local time, a Capstaff CHALLENGER II registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Southern Pines, North Carolina, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 00:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.2406, -81.6002
- Aircraft
- Capstaff CHALLENGER II
- Registration
- UNREG
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Aberdeen → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- ATL97LA073
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol which led to his failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The airplane collided with power lines after takeoff and crashed into a pond. According to witnesses, the airplane was seen flying 1 to 2 feet above the ground before it struck the power lines. When it collided with the power lines, the passenger stated 'there was a loud pop and the plane went belly up'. The passenger was able to escape the aircraft, but he reported that he was unable to release the pilot's lap belt. The pilot received multiple mild internal injuries and drowned. The pilot's toxicological report revealed 186.000 mg/dl ethanol in blood, and 218.000 mg/dl ethanol in vitreous fluid.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1997 | Piper PA-38-112 | Smithfield, North Carolina, United States | Raleigh Flying Service | No injuries | - |
| 19 Apr 1997 | Cessna 150G | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Apr 1997 | Stinson 108-1 | Smithfield, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Apr 1997 | Boeing B75N1 | Huntersville, North Carolina, United States | Larry E. Morris | No injuries | - |
| 7 May 1997 | Piper PA-28-180 | Wilgrove, North Carolina, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 Aug 1997 | Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164C | Beaufort, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |