Tulsa World: Report: Pilot in deadly Muskogee crash took medication

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Report: Pilot in deadly Muskogee crash took medication

By The Associated Press
Published: 4/11/2009 10:28 AM
Last Modified: 4/11/2009 10:28 AM

MUSKOGEE — A Tennessee man who died when his experimental plane crashed in Muskogee last August had an antidepressant in his system and should not have been flying, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The single-engine plane went down in a southeast Muskogee neighborhood on Aug. 11, killing Ronald Dickey, 59, of Williston, Tenn. The aircraft crashed in a large vacant lot between two houses, and there were no injuries on the ground.

According to a preliminary report from the NTSB, Dickey tested positive for Celexa, an antidepressant.

"Use of this medication would have precluded medical certification of this pilot. The pilot would have been warned not to fly while taking this medication," the report said.

Dickey's medical application did not indicate that he used any medication or had any type of mental disorder, including depression or anxiety, the report said.

Because of the condition of the wreckage, it could not be confirmed whether the aircraft, an RV-6A kit airplane, was equipped for instrument flight, according to the report.

Dickey was instrument-rated, but his wife told authorities he preferred to fly under visual flight rules.

Instrument use would have been necessary during rain, which was falling in the Muskogee area around the time of the accident, according to the report.

The plane hit the ground at a steep angle and "the engine and forward fuselage were buried in an impact crater approximately 4 feet deep," the report

said.

Witnesses said the plane's engine was running at the time of impact, and that they heard it sputter and make other sounds.

The RV-6A plane is a kind of aircraft often built and flown by enthusiasts, reports show.

Dickey was commuting from Tennessee to his job in Borger, Texas, his wife said.

By The Associated Press

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	Report Comment dTHREE, TULSA (4/11/2009 11:56:18 AM) Impaired Flying or Impaired Driving = same outcome.
	Report Comment T.B'Ville, Bartlesville (4/11/2009 5:28:08 PM) It was an antidepressant not a Valium or Xanax.
	Report Comment dTHREE, TULSA (4/11/2009 7:37:27 PM) T., The body doesn't know wether or not the chemicals ingested are prescripted or not, it just knows it is being manipulated.
	Report Comment T.B'Ville, Bartlesville (4/11/2009 7:43:05 PM) I wish my antidepressants would manipulate my body more!
	Report Comment dTHREE, TULSA (4/12/2009 3:07:48 AM) As long as you don't drive or fly, manipulate away.
	Report Comment cwhcfi, (4/12/2009 9:18:40 PM) These medications are actually going through the approval process now with the FAA. Additionally, most doctors do not understand why pilots are not allowed to fly while using antidepressants. Doctors say they would much rather have a pilot on antidepressants flying an airplane than a pilot who is depressed and will not take medications.
	Report Comment pilots daughter, (4/24/2009 8:30:29 PM) I want all of you to know, that this man was a terrific pilot. I know that the medication had no impact on his ability to pilot. HE WOULD NEVER PUT ANYONE IN DANGER!!!! If you do not have anything positive to say, then it's best to say nothing at all. How quick some people are to judge others. Remember this man does have a family.

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