Took Sleeping Pills Soon After Takeoff, Survives Desert Crash

An NTSB preliminary report from a accident in Nevada earlier this month includes a statement by the pilot of the Cirrus SR22 that he took sleeping pills shortly after takeoff in an attempt to commit suicide. He was seriously injured, but survived when the airplane came down in the desert near Silver Peak, NV.

NTSB Identification: WPR13LA186
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Silver Peak, NV
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: 205KT
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On April 10, 2013, about 0950 Pacific daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corporation, N205KT, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain after the pilot became incapacitated during cruise flight near Silver Peak, Nevada. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which had originated from Las Vegas, Nevada, an unknown time. A flight plan had not been filed.

Witnesses reported that an airplane had crashed in the desert near Alum Pit mine in Esmeralda County. Local law enforcement personnel responded to the accident site and found the pilot unconscious in the cabin. Two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors interviewed the pilot in the hospital, and he stated that he attempted suicide by taking sleeping pills soon after takeoff.

(SR22 image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov