N8185M

On July 30, 1993, about 0551 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N8185M, collided with mountainous terrain about 6 miles southeast of Dayton, Nevada. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the accident area.

The airplane was stolen from the South Lake Tahoe Flying Club, South Lake Tahoe, California, at an undetermined time. Investigation of the theft by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department revealed the airplane parked adjacent to the stolen aircraft was also broken into. A bottle of rum was found in the airplane. Fingerprints from the bottle matched those of the deceased pilot.

A post mortem examination was conducted by the Washoe County Coroner's Office on July 31, 1993, with specimens retained for toxicological examination. According to the Coroner's report, the cause of death for the pilot was attributed to blunt force trauma.

The toxicological specimens were split. Specimens sent to the Sierra Nevada Laboratories, Inc., Reno, Nevada, tested positive for alcohol. The laboratory report listed the concentration at .097 G/DL.

Samples sent to the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) also tested positive for alcohol and drugs. The results of CAMI's toxicological analysis revealed: Ethanol detected in the blood, vitreous fluid, and bile, at concentrations of 79 mg/dl, 113 mg/dl, and 97 mg/dl, respectively.

Chlordiazepoxide and Nordiazepam were detected in the pilot's blood and liver. The concentration of Chlordiazepoxide in the blood was listed at .864 ug/ml in the CAMI report and the Nordiazepam was listed at .996 ug/ml in the liver.

Chlordiazepoxide is the generic name for several prescription drugs used for treatment of nervousness, tension, muscle spasm, or convulsive disorders. The drug, according to a Physician's Desk Reference, should not be taken in conjunction with alcohol use.