Both Occupants Tested Positive For Medications

Two pilots who were killed when the Cessna 320D they were flying went down in the traffic pattern at Airman Acres Airport near Collinsville, Oklahoma in September, 2008 tested positive for different medications. The NTSB says that impairment was possibly a contributing factor in the accident. The probable cause is listed as the crews' failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall close to the ground.

According to the probable cause report issued Wednesday, Harvey Hazelwood, a private pilot, owned the 320 and had been working on restoring the aircraft for four years. He had a history of hip pain treated with nortriptyline, a prescription antidepressant also used for pain control, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder treated with fluoxetine, a prescription antidepressant also used for other psychiatric conditions, and trazodone, a prescription antidepressant also used for insomnia. Toxicology findings were consistent with the ongoing use of all three drugs. Nortriptyline has adverse cognitive and performance effects, particularly with higher blood levels, and fluoxetine may interfere with its metabolism, potentially raising the blood level of nortriptyline. It is possible that the pilot was impaired or distracted by his hip pain, or impaired by nortriptyline.

Larry Jackson, a commercial pilot and friend of Hazelwood's, who had helped him with the restoration project, occasionally used diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine, for allergy symptoms, and toxicology findings were consistent with recent ingestion of the drug.

In typical doses, diphenhydramine commonly results in drowsiness, and has measurable effects on performance of complex cognitive and motor tasks, even in individuals who feel normal after ingesting the drug. The NTSB found it was likely that Jackson was impaired by recent ingestion of diphenhydramine. Neither pilot had indicated the use of the detected medications or conditions for which they were used on their last applications for Airman Medical Certificate.

The Tulsa World reports both pilots lived at Airman Acres. In it's factual report issued December 1st, 2009, the NTSB said Jackson was rated for airplane single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a certified flight instructor certificate for airplane single-and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. His last second class FAA medical was issued on June 10, 2008. At that time, he reported a total of 2,000 flight hours. Hazelwood was rated for airplane single and multi-engine land. He also had an FAA airframe and power plant certificate. His last third class FAA medical was issued on June 28, 2007. A review of his last FAA airman application dated September 1, 2008, revealed he had a total of 215 flight hours.

The NTSB said it was not possible to determine who was flying the aircraft at the time control was lost. examination of the airplane and both engines revealed no premishap mechanical deficiencies.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov