Amateur-built Beelzabub N382T accident near Rochester, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.

NTSB analysis

**This report was modified on September 15, 2022. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.**

A witness reported that the airplane overflew the area, about 500 ft above ground level, before it descended and leveled out. The airplane was in a wings-level attitude when the left wing struck a lone tree that was about 60–70 ft tall. The surrounding trees in the area were about 30–50 ft tall. The airplane continued for about 500 feet before it impacted a forested area and came to rest nose-down against a tree. The witness further reported that the engine was running at the time of the accident.

Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Toxicology testing detected a low concentration of the opiate morphine in the pilot-rated passenger’s urine specimen but not in the blood specimen, which suggests use was not recent and any sedating effects would not be present. Therefore, the effects of the pilot-rated passenger’s use of morphine were not a factor in the accident.

It is likely that the pilot did not see the tree that was taller than the surrounding trees while maneuvering at low altitude.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR18FA261 for the full record.