The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report on a small plane crash that occurred near Pulaski, TN in 2023. The crash, which killed both the pilot and the single passenger on board, was allegedly caused by an error on the part of the pilot. Additionally, drug testing found that the pilot had certain medications in her system which are not typically considered safe to use when piloting a plane.

The Events of the Accident

On December 7, 2023, Jenny Blalock, 45, was piloting a Beech 35-C33 plane with her father, James Blalock, Jr., 78, as the sole passenger, going from Knoxville, TN to Benton, AR. However, shortly after takeoff, the pilot lost control of the plane and crashed into a remote area in Giles County. The plane caught fire, and both the pilot and the passenger were killed.

NTSB Found Pilot Error Likely Responsible

After an extensive investigation, the NTSB found that the crash was likely due to “oscillations” caused by a failure to properly control the plane. It was found that she misused the autopilot system on the plane, and may not have fully understood how it worked, causing her to adjust the plane in a way that resulted in these oscillations, eventually leading to the crash. Safety records find that Blalock, who first got her pilot’s license in May 2022, “routinely demonstrated poor manual aircraft handling and struggled with cockpit automation,” and also found that she “demonstrated difficulty maintaining situational awareness,” indicating she may not have been skilled or experienced enough to safely pilot her plane.

Unsafe Medications Detected in Bloodstream

In addition to these issues, an autopsy found the presence of a number of medications in the pilot’s system, which the FAA generally advises people not to use if they expect to fly. These include trazodone, a prescription SARI antidepressant; oxymetazoline, a medication used to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure; and buspirone, an anti-anxiety medication. If she took these medications before her flight, they may have impaired her ability to adequately control the plane.

Lessons to Be Learned

This accident highlights the importance of having an experienced, competent pilot when flying a plane. It also shows how certain drugs, even those prescribed by a doctor, can potentially impair a person’s ability to safely operate a plane. When you combine inexperience with intoxication, however, the results can be especially disastrous.