Piper PA-18-150 N46773

Summary

On 4 May 2003 at about 13:30 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N46773, operated by John McPhee, was involved in an accident near Ashland, Maine, 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

4 May 2003 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashland, Maine, United States

Coordinates

46.6044, -69.1433

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N46773

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John McPhee

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houlton → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03GA094

1 person died.

The pilot's impairment due to over-the-counter medications, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane for animal tracking when it struck trees and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, and fuel was found in all three fuel tanks. Tree scars and propeller signatures were consistent with engine power. Review of the pilot's toxicology report revealed that he had recently ingested at least three different over-the-counter medications which contained sedating antihistamines. The levels of substances in the pilot's blood were at least five times higher than the levels expected with a typical maximum single over-the-counter dose of the medications. The pilot's wife stated that he was "fighting a bad cold for about a week," prior to the accident. She added the pilot was taking NyQuil to "get through the night," and it was possible he was also taking Benadryl.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.