Crosslake pilot stoned at time of crash, NTSB says
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The National Transportation Safety Board says the pilot of a small plane that crashed last summer near Brainerd was probably stoned while flying.
The NTSB has posted the findings of its investigation into the crash on Upper Whitefish Lake near Crosslake. It said the medical examiner found drug paraphernalia in the shirt pocked of the pilot, Dan Steffen, 55, of Crosslake. Toxicology results were consistent with impairment because of the marijuana, the NTSB said. Steffen was killed in the crash. His passenger, Frederick Hammer, 61 of Crosslake survived.
Hammer told investigators the two were looking for walleye spots on the lake.
The airplane was flying too slow over the lake at the time, it stalled and spun into the water, according to the investigation.
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