EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board report says a Eugene, Ore., pilot’s flying errors and marijuana use contributed to the plane crash that killed him on Aug. 23, 2009.
The NTSB report says the accident was caused by Benjamin Scott Henderson’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff for a glider tow operation. The report adds that the tow pilot’s impairment due to recent marijuana use and the flight’s low altitude were contributing factors.
The single-engine Piper Pawnee crashed in a field near the Creswell airport and burst into flames. The student glider pilot managed to disconnect the tow rope and land safely.
The NTSB ruled out mechanical reasons for the crash.
The report says toxicology tests showed marijuana levels that suggest the 41-year-old Henderson used the drug within three hours of the accident.
