Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Dubois, Idaho 83423
Thursday, May 21, 1998 12:20 MDT

Prior to departure, the pilot had called the Flight Service Station for a standard weather briefing. During the briefing, the specialist reported that VFR flight was not recommended due to low ceilings, mountain obscuration and icing conditions along the proposed route of flight. After the weather briefing, the pilot was overheard talking with his passengers, and a decision was made to 'go and see how it was.' Witnesses traveling along a highway that paralleled the accident site, reported that the airplane was observed descending through the clouds in a nose down attitude and steep left bank. The weather at the accident site was reported as a low ceiling at approximately 200 feet AGL. The tops of the surrounding hills were obscured, and rain was falling. Further south, the direction in which the aircraft was traveling, the ceiling was lower and described as 'heavy fog.' During the on-site investigation, the wreckage distribution path was measured for 527 feet. Ground signatures indicated that the airplane touched down on the left main landing gear first, skipped about 10 feet, then all three landing gear touched down. Immediately following the landing gear signatures, a large crater was noted. After the impact crater, wreckage was scattered throughout the path leading up to the main wreckage. Post crash inspection determined that there was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Toxicological samples detected positive for sedating over-the-counter antihistamines, and metabolites commonly resulting from the ingestion of multi-symptom over-the-counter cough and cold medications in the pilot.

Attempted VFR flight into IMC and a loss of aircraft control. An inadequate weather evaluation and drug impairment were factors.