Event CEN18LA274

Factual narrative

On July 11, 2018, about 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N50183, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lakeview, Arkansas. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The student pilot reported that after takeoff from the grass airstrip at the resort, the left wing impacted a tree branch. The student pilot overcorrected from the impact and aerodynamically stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a grass clearing and came to rest inverted near trees. The student pilot was extracted from the wreckage and transported via an air ambulance helicopter to a hospital for medical treatment. The student pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A witness reported that prior to the accident, she observed the student pilot with a white cup and the student pilot reported to the witness that the cup had a margarita in it. She further reported that she observed him about three times at the resort with two cups "every time." The student pilot invited the witness for a ride in his airplane, but she declined. About five minutes later, she heard the accident and she observed "all the cups" at the accident site. Local law enforcement found liquid believed to be alcohol in a white cup in the wreckage. The student pilot had reported no chronic medical conditions and only the use of finasteride to the Federal Aviation Administration. After the accident, he reported to his health care providers that he had muscle spasms, major depression, hypertension, and was taking baclofen, bupropion, a combination tablet of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, as well as finasteride to treat these conditions. In addition, he admitted that he drank alcohol during the afternoon before the flight. The student pilot refused a blood draw from law enforcement and no clinical toxicology test was performed. The student pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. The student pilot reported that after takeoff from the grass airstrip, the left wing impacted a tree branch. He overcorrected from the impact and stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a grass clearing and came to rest inverted near trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Although his blood alcohol level was not tested after the accident, the student pilot stated that he drank alcohol during the afternoon of the flight. In addition, he admitted to taking baclofen and bupropion, which are both potentially impairing medications that carry specific warnings about increased impairing effects when used in combination with alcohol. It is likely the pilot was impaired by his use of a combination of alcohol, baclofen, and bupropion and that these effects likely increased his willingness to fly while impaired and prevented him from safely taking off. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Physical-Health/Fitness-Use of medication/drugs-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Physical-Health/Fitness-Use of alcohol-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Alcohol-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Prescription medication-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome