Impaired pilot performance: drugs or alcohol

The circumstances leading to forced landing of a three-seat light cabin monoplane due to engine failure are described. The pilot, an airline pilot employed as a Boeing 707 captain, and one of the two passengers were killed. The liver of the pilot showed diffuse fatty changes and toxicological examination revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 149 mg/100 ml and 139 mg/100 ml in the urine. On initial screening for drugs, the presence of nitrazepam or chlordiazepoxide was suspected and the medical investigation was further complicated by the finding of chlordiazepoxide in the personal effects. Although the cause of the accident was a stall at low altitude during an attempted forced landing following loss of engine power, it was concluded that the pilot's ability to avoid onset of stall was impaired by the concentration of alcohol in his system.