MADEIRA BEACH, FL, USA
N15986
PIPER PA-28-180
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE BAY WHEN THE LEFT WING DIPPED INTO THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND SANK. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN BUZZING HOMES AND BOATS ALL ALONG THE COAST, FROM CLEARWATER SOUTH TO THE AREA OF THE CRASH. TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE PILOT REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.25%. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE OPERATOR OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT POSSESS AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE OR A STUDENT PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REGISTERED TO THE PILOT'S DECEASED FATHER. ACCORDING TO PERSONNEL AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BASED, THE PILOT HAD BEEN USING THE AIRPLANE SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ON MAY 16, 1988.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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