CEN20FA108

The pilot’s loss of control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Before the accident, the pilot told the co-owner he planned to perform touch and go maneuvers. Data showed that the airplane departed and conducted one left traffic pattern flight. It could not be determined if the pilot performed a touch-and-go, or a go-around. The airplane then entered a left crosswind, and the last radar target indicated the airplane was at 250 ft above ground level and 125 knots ground speed. There were no witnesses to the accident. The airplane impacted terrain in a 10° nose-down attitude, and the wreckage path measured about 120 ft in length. No anomalies were noted with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot lost control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. The pilot’s toxicology tests results revealed he had used marijuana, but none of the available information could be used to determine when that had occurred. As a result, it could not be determined if the pilot’s use of marijuana contributed to the accident.

The Cameron County Forensic Pathology, Harlingen, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot. His cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing performed at the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified delta-9-THC (the primary psychoactive component in marijuana), its inactive metabolite carboxy-Delta-9-THC, and its active metabolite 11-Hydroxy-Delta-9-THC in urine, liver, and lung. Levels of delta-9-THC were 1.5 ng/ml, 2.9 ng/gm, and 39.4 ng/gm respectively.  No blood was available for testing. The marijuana plant contains chemicals called cannabinoids; delta-9-THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid compound. Significant performance impairments are usually observed for at least 1-2 hours following marijuana use, and residual effects have been reported up to 24 hours. However, it is difficult to relate blood levels of delta-9-THC to effects and there is no mechanism for relating levels in any other specimens to psychoactive effects. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane impacted mesquite trees and terrain, and a postimpact fire ensued. The outboard 8 ft of the left wing and portions of the nose landing gear were located near the initial impact point. The wreckage was distributed along a 20° heading and measured about 120 ft in length. The cockpit, fuselage, right wing, engine, and empennage were consumed by fire. The left wing exhibited leading edge crush damage. Flight control cable continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The flap actuator was thermally damaged, and a position could not be determined. The engine and accessories were thermally damaged, and the propeller would not rotate. The cylinders were visually examined using a borescope and displayed normal operating signatures. One propeller blade was bent aft, and one propeller blade was twisted in the direction of rotation. Both propeller blades were partially consumed by fire. Two tree branches displayed 45° cuts. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. On February 28, 2020, at 1949 central standard time, a Cessna 150M airplane, N407WJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport (PIL), Port Isabel, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the airplane's co-owner, about 1530, the pilot asked him if he'd like to perform some touch and go landings at PIL. The co-owner stated he could not go on the flight and had no further communication with the pilot. Air traffic control radar data showed that the airplane departed runway 13 about 1943. After takeoff, the pilot conducted one left traffic pattern flight. Whether the pilot subsequently performed a touch-and-go or a go-around could not be determined from the radar data. The airplane then turned left crosswind for runway 13, and the last radar target indicated that the airplane was at 250 ft above ground level and 125 knots ground speed. There were no witnesses to the accident. The airplane wreckage was located on March 1, 2020.