N8569VBellanca 7GCBC · 1974

On January 12, 2025, about 1415 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8569V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Batesville, Arkansas. The pilot survived the accident but was fatally injured during rescue operations. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

On the day of the accident, the accident pilot and the pilot and passenger in a second airplane agreed to meet and conduct a local flight together in their respective airplanes. The pilot of the second airplane estimated that he was flying about 1/4 mile behind and higher in altitude than the accident airplane.

The pilot of the second airplane stated that he had just commented to his passenger that the first airplane’s pilot was flying “really low in that valley.” A few seconds later, he saw the airplane collide with the high-tension power lines, and a blue-colored arc flash from the lines. The first airplane then came to rest hanging suspended above the ground from a power line. Neither occupant of the second airplane observed anything that suggested that the accident airplane was in distress before the collision.

The second pilot and his passenger notified 911 by phone while flying over the accident site. After circling the accident site several times, the second pilot flew to the Batesville Regional Airport (KBVX), Batesville, Arkansas, and landed. From there, he and his passenger proceeded to the accident site. While at the scene and while the accident pilot was still inside the suspended airplane, the second pilot heard the accident pilot state that he did not see the power lines until it was too late because of the “snowy backdrop.”

A photograph from the accident site showed the accident airplane suspended nose-down from a single power line about 130 ft off the ground. Both wings were displaced and entangled in the line, and the outboard section of the left wing was separated. The pilot sustained fatal injuries after egressing the suspended airplane while using a harness and rope provided by people on the ground.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA after it was removed from the power line revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have prevented normal operation.

The location of the power lines was depicted on the current sectional aeronautical chart for the area.

Toxicological testing by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory detected doxylamine, temazepam, and trazodone in blood from the pilot. Specific concentration levels were not provided in the report.

Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine medication available over the counter as a sleep aid and as an ingredient in various cold and allergy products. Sedating antihistamines can cause cognitive and psychomotor slowing and drowsiness, and products containing doxylamine may carry a driving warning. The FAA states that pilots should not fly within 60 hours of using doxylamine to allow time for the drug to be cleared from circulation.

Temazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine medication with sedative effects. It commonly is used to treat insomnia and certain other sleep disorders. Temazepam also may be a metabolite of another benzodiazepine medication, diazepam (which was not detected in this case). Temazepam typically carries a warning that it can cause sleepiness, dizziness, and slowed thinking and motor skills, and that users should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until they know how the drug affects them. The FAA states that pilots should not fly within 72 hours of using temazepam, to allow time for the drug to be cleared from circulation.

Trazodone is a prescription antidepressant medication. It may be used to treat major depression, but it also commonly is used to treat insomnia. It typically carries a warning that it can slow thinking and motor skills and that users should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until they know how the drug affects them. The FAA considers trazodone a Do Not Issue/Do Not Fly medication and does not consider trazodone to be a conditionally acceptable antidepressant for medical certification by special issuance. According to the FAA medical case review for this accident, if trazodone is used as a sedative, pilots must wait at least 48 hours after use before flying, and if trazodone is used for depression, it must be discontinued for at least 60 days before a special issuance will be considered.