Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to correct the descent. Factors related to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, impairment of the pilot from use of a medication (prescription drug), and possible lack of visual ques (pilot's visual perception).
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Prior to the end of civil twilight, a witness saw the airplane 'make two or three floating perfect turns that appeared deliberate but a bit faster than normal.' he said he lost sight of the aircraft below the treeline, but did not notice anything to indicate that something was wrong. Reportedly, the engine was running, & the airplane impacted in an open field, while descending. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found during the investigation. Toxicology tests revealed the sedative temazepam (0.213 ug/ml) in the pilot's blood & oxazepam (1.425 ug/ml) in his urine.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 9, 1993, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Titan Tornado, N7020J, owned and piloted by Mr. Richard A. Wolters, of Hanover, Virginia, struck the ground in a descent. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and the pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a shallow descending turn until it disappeared below the tree line. The engine was heard operating. The airplane struck the ground in a open field, while descending. The 73 years old pilot was the holder of a private pilot certificate for gliders and did not hold an FAA Airman Medical Certificate. The FAA reported the pilot purchased the airplane on October 7, 1993, and received a ground checkout, but no flight checkout. Additionally, they reported that the pilot was being treated for heart disease, and after he purchased the airplane, he removed the registration numbers, the airplane data plate, and the sticker identifying the airplane as an experimental home built airplane. In a telephone interview, Mr. Elwyn Jordan, of the Richmond Flight Standards District Office said flight control continuity was verified and he found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane. A autopsy was conducted by Dr. Deborah Kay, Medical Examiner, State of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Cause of death was injuries received in the accident. A toxicological examination by the FAA found the drug TEMAZEPAM in the pilot's blood at a therapeutic level. According to Dr. Stephen Veronneau of the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, TEMAZEPAM is a trade name for RESTORIL, which is similar to valium. It is used as a night time sedative (sleeping pill). The drug could produce drowsiness and slow reaction times. -