Doomed copter pilot took sedatives

FORT RUCKER, Ala., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- An Army pilot flying an MH-47 helicopter that crashed in the Philippines last year, killing 10, had reportedly been taking a sedative.

Stars and Stripes newspaper reported Wednesday a report it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request indicates Capt. Bartt Owens, one of the victims, tested positive for the sedative temazepam.

Toxicology results included in the report revealed Owens' body had 1.2 milligrams of the drug per liter of blood.

"That's twice the therapeutic level normally needed for the drug to take effect," said an official close to the investigation of the Feb. 2002 crash.

Temazepam, often sold under the brand name Restoril, is used to induce sleep and cause relaxation.

The Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., which conducted the investigation, has not announced its official determination of the accident's cause.