Mon, May 05, 2008
Christmas Day Accident Caused by Pilot Error,
Medications
The National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its final report on a
fatal December 2006 accident, stating pilot error and impairment
from medications were factors.
On December 22, 2006 a Cessna 340A piloted by orthopedic surgeon
Ray B. Armistead crashed in the Stono River just outside of
Charleston, SC.
As ANN reported, Armistead
along with his wife Patricia, and their two daughters, Kristin and
Lauren were killed when the aircraft crashed as it circled back for
a second attempt to land at Johns Island Executive Airport
southwest of downtown Charleston.
In the NTSB report issued this week, an investigation concluded
that the airplane stalled after executing a "tight, low right turn"
after overshooting the runway on its first landing attempt. A
witness reported seeing the aircraft complete two revolutions
before it was lost from his sight.
The aircraft impacted the water and sank to a depth of 20 feet
in the Stono River. Upon recovery, a post-crash examination
revealed no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure or
malfunction.
Weather conditions included light rain and winds from the south
around 15 mph at the time of the crash, according to the National
Weather Service.
A forensic toxicology test performed by the FAA Bioaeronautical
Sciences Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City revealed the pilot
had a high level of the prescription painkiller Tramadol -- twice
the maximum regular dosage -- in his system. An antihistamine,
Diphenhydramine, was also detected in his system and the resulting
effects of one or both medications may have impaired his
reactions.
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