NTSB Probable Cause Report Pending

A coroner's report indicates the pilot of a Cessna T210L that went down last year near Fresno, CA had a significant amount of marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.

All three people aboard the Centurion (file photo of type, above right) were killed when the plane encountered bad weather, broke up in flight and impacted the ground over Tranquility, CA on April 7, 2005. Karl Esposti, a local auto dealer, was piloting the aircraft; his passengers were Tom Hobart and Kieran K.C. Burke, both prominent individuals in the local vineyard industry. The three were on their way to Scottsdale, AZ when the plane went down.

Toxicology reports cited by the Associated Press show Esposti had 293 nanograms per milliliter of marijuana metabolites in his system, detected through a urine test. Pilots found to have more than 15 nanograms/ml in their system are subject to license suspension or revocation, according to FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer.

It's not known when Esposti, who had no FAA violations on his record, may have last taken marijuana, as it stays in the body for long periods of time. It is also unclear whether he was impaired at the time of the accident.

One expert said the level of marijuana found in Esposti's body indicates he was either a chronic user, or had smoke it within hours of the accident flight.

"How do you attain that number in the urine? It's only through active smoking on a daily basis," said forensic toxicologist Dr. Ernest D. Lykissa.

The Probable Cause report is currently awaiting approval by the NTSB's five-member board. Officials have not commented on whether the investigative body believes Esposti's apparent marijuana use was a factor in the accident.

FMI: Read The NTSB Preliminary Report