Probable Cause: Flight Into IMC, Marijuana Intoxication

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its in-depth final report on the fatal crash of an Extra 300/L (see illustration below) on the morning of last June 5 near Gothenburg, NE.

As ANN previously reported, the pilot and sole occupant of the airplane was identified as 39-year-old Stanley E. Dunn of Fort Collins, CO. The wreckage of the plane was not located until the next morning, in a farm field approximately 13 miles north of Gothenburg.

The fatal flight originated at North Platte Municipal Airport (LBF), North Platte, NE, with the intended destination of Lewis University Airport (LOT), near Chicago, IL.

The NTSB's Probable Cause report reads as follows:

"The non-instrument rated private pilot was traveling cross-country to perform in an aerobatics competition. The airplane was not equipped to fly in instrument weather conditions.

"During the pilot's telephone weather briefing with flight service on the morning of the accident, he was informed of an AIRMET for areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and visibility less than three miles along his intended route of flight. He was also informed of areas of thunderstorms forming along a warm front near his location.

"At the time of departure, weather at LBF was reported as overcast at 900 feet, 10 miles visibility and thunderstorms in the immediate vicinity. Radar data showed the airplane flying erratically with several large heading and altitude changes during the last three minutes of flight.

"A private pilot witness 3.6 miles from the accident site saw the airplane fly over his home. He said there was a 'wet' fog with visibility of about three miles and the pilot was rocking his wings back and forth.

"The pilot lost visual references outside due to low visibility and the airplane entered a spin and impacted terrain. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The parachute equipped pilot did not attempt to egress the airplane.

"Marijuana was found in the pilot's luggage, and toxicological testing found the presence of marijuana in the pilot's blood, urine, lungs and liver. The levels of marijuana found in the pilot indicate he had used marijuana within three hours prior to the accident and was likely impaired by its effects.

"The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

"The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's recent usage of Marijuana, his impaired judgment and decision making, and the low visibility weather conditions."

FMI: Read the NTSB's Full Narrative Report