Harleman TORNADO II N140V

Summary

On 1 February 2002 at about 22:30 local time, a Harleman TORNADO II registered N140V was involved in an accident near Molino, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 February 2002 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Molino, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Private Agricultural Field

Coordinates

30.7167, -87.3833

Aircraft

Harleman TORNADO II

Registration

N140V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Beulah → Molino

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA02LA058

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, resulting in the in-flight collision with a static wire and an uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's impairment resulting from the use of unapproved medication.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to witnesses, the powered glider was observed making a low pass down runway 36 of a private, sod agricultural airstrip. The aircraft next entered a left downwind leg for an approach and landing to the runway. While on final approach, the powered glider's undercarriage collided with static wires strung between two power transmission line towers, and the aircraft impacted the ground. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot suffered fatal injuries. It is likely that the pilot was under continuing treatment for his bipolar disorder and sleep disorder at the time of his accident and may have been on two different antidepressants. Mirtazapine is substantially sedating, and interferes with certain skilled performance tasks. In addition, mirtazapine and fluoxetine may interact to cause severe restlessness, confusion, incoordination, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.