BEECH A36 near Fryeburg, ME — 2014-01-01

Probable cause

The pilot’s incapacitation due to a cardiac event during taxi.

NTSB narrative

The pilot's son reported that he saw his father's airplane initiate a slow taxi for departure, drift right off the taxiway, and then come to rest next to a snow bank. The pilot's son found the pilot slumped over the control yoke, and he was subsequently transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The pilot reported no significant medical history on his medical certificate application, and no health issues were identified during his most recent physical examination. However, the pilot's wife reported that the pilot had a history of heart disease. An autopsy revealed severe coronary artery atherosclerosis, an enlarged heart, and evidence of hypertensive heart disease, and the autopsy report stated that the cause of death was "severe coronary artery atherosclerosis."

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have undergone a medical evaluation before flying.

NTSB coding

• Miscellaneous/other · Taxi-to runway
• Impairment / Incapacitation

Evidence available

• Photos
• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Memorandum of Record, Stephen Chiarello (Witness)other
• Photo 1. Picture of Airplane (Photo Courtesy of Pilot's Family)photos
• Memorandum of Record - Weather Reportreport
• Oxford County Sheriff's Reportreport
• Toxicology Reportreport

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