Cliff STARDUSTER II SA300 N411TM

Summary

On 17 August 2014 at about 01:40 local time, a Cliff STARDUSTER II SA300 registered N411TM was involved in an accident near Placerville, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 August 2014 at 01:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Placerville, California, United States

Nearest airport

Swansboro Country (01CL)

Coordinates

38.8000, -120.7161

Aircraft

Cliff STARDUSTER II SA300

Registration

N411TM

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Jose → Placerville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14FA348

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his recent use of methamphetamine.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on approach for landing, the private pilot initiated a go-around on short final due to gusty crosswind conditions. During the climbout, the pilot reported that the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain, seriously injuring the pilot and fatally injuring the passenger. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Blood samples from the pilot tested positive for methamphetamine and its active metabolite, amphetamine. The methamphetamine was found at high levels, indicative of abuse. It is likely that the pilot was impaired by the psychoactive effects of illicit methamphetamine use at the time of the accident, which impaired his ability to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around attempt.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.