CEN22LA164

After a local flight, the airplane landed, and a witness saw the airplane taxi over a grass-covered area and then onto the ramp at a higher-than-normal speed. The airplane struck a parked airplane, and the left wing became wedged underneath the empennage of the parked airplane. Airport personnel responded and discovered that the pilot was slumped over the flight controls and unresponsive. Emergency responders attempted CPR, but the pilot did not recover and was transported to a hospital where he was declared deceased. The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane’s flight control, brake systems, and related systems did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot’s cause of death was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease in association with obesity; the manner of death was reported as natural. There was significant cardiovascular disease identified by the autopsy without evidence of significant trauma. His cardiovascular conditions placed him at increased risk for a sudden cardiac event. Given the medical findings and the circumstances of this accident, it is likely that the pilot’s incapacitation from a sudden cardiac event caused the accident.

On March 31, 2022, about 1100 central daylight time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N21BS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kerrville, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. After a local flight, the airplane landed at the Kerrville Municipal Airport (ERV). A witness saw the airplane taxi at a high speed, and it seemed to be out of control. The witness saw the airplane taxi over a grass-covered area and then onto the ramp. The airplane struck the empennage of a parked airplane (a Rockwell Commander, N25CE). The left wing of the Mooney became wedged underneath the empennage of the Rockewell Commander. Airport personnel responded and discovered that the unresponsive pilot was slumped over the flight controls. Medical personnel based on the airport began CPR, but the pilot did not respond. The pilot was transported to a hospital where he was declared deceased. The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane’s flight control and brake systems did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The engine exhaust system was found normal and intact. The Commander’s right horizontal stabilizer also sustained substantial damage. The pilot’s most recent Basic Med certificate was dated August 18, 2020. His third-class medical certificate expired in 2018. His most recent third-class medical examination was on August 31, 2016. During this examination, the pilot reported that he was taking medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and low thyroid function. An autopsy on the pilot was performed by the Travis County Medical Examiner, Austin, Texas. The cause death was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease in association with obesity, and the manner of death was natural. Toxicology testing performed by the Travis County medical examiner’s office was positive for the high blood pressure medication amlodipine in the pilot’s femoral blood. This substance is generally considered non-impairing. Toxicology testing performed by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Forensic Sciences laboratory detected amlodipine and propafenone in the pilot’s heart blood and liver tissue. Propafenone is used to treat life-threatening irregular heartbeats; the medication itself can cause a new irregular heartbeat and increase the risk of death. The use of propafenone would require FAA review and approval.