CHI06LA119

The experimental amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged on impact with terrain while maneuvering. A witness saw the airplane spiral downward, an increase engine speed was heard, and the airplane continued to spiral downward. Examination of the wreckage on-scene revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot had a history of severe progressive coronary artery disease, including bypass surgery in 1979 and 1997 and stent placement in 2004. He had not held a valid airman medical certificate since the bypass surgery was performed in 1979. His severe coronary artery disease was noted on the autopsy report, but the report of autopsy was insufficient to determine if the noted coronary artery disease was limited to vessels that had already been bypassed. A witness reported that the pilot was dripping with sweat and appeared exhausted for a day with mild weather.

History of flight

On April 24, 2006, about 1530 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Woods Skyboy Quick Kit airplane, N758RW, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain while maneuvering near Huntington, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Bluffton, Indiana, about 1515 and its destination is unknown.

A witness, in part, reported:

I ... observed [the pilot] in my home on April 25, approx 3:00 - 3:10 p.m.

as being a man who had been behind a team of mules plowing all

day! He was dripping with sweat ... . Seemed exhausted! ... He

walked approx 300 ft. to the plane. I didn't see him in actual walking

manner because I was in the loft ... .

A witness, in part, stated:

I was headed east on Taylor St ext when I seen the ultralight flying

above. ... I saw the ultralight kind of rocking back [and] forth [and] ...

I saw it nose dive.

Another witness, in part, stated:

I heard the ultralight plane and saw it flying in a southwest direction. It

looked to be flying slightly up to increase altitude. Within a few

seconds it made a left turn into a downward spiral. Just prior to the

downward spiral the engine speed increased slightly. It was going

down in a pretty steep spiral. The trees blocked my view and I heard

the engine increase again ... then nothing.

Personnel information

The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot's last application for a third class medical certificate was dated September 21, 1979.

Aircraft information

N758RW was an experimental amateur-built Woods Skyboy Quick Kit airplane, serial number 64-2002. A FAA inspector reported that the airplane was powered by a 100-horsepower Rotax 912ULS engine, serial number 4426493, and that the airplane's application for an airworthiness certificate was dated September 14, 2005.

Meteorological information

At 1454, the recorded weather at the Fort Wayne International Airport, near Fort Wayne, Indiana, located about 20 miles and 45 degrees from the accident site, was: Wind 340 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition few clouds 4,900 feet scattered 25,000 feet; temperature 18 degrees C; dew point 7 degrees C; altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.

Wreckage and impact information

According to an Indiana State Police report, the airplane came to rest in a field about one-half mile east of Broadway and Taylor streets. The police report stated that from the initial point of impact to the airplane's resting spot was a distance 36 feet 10 inches to the west. The report further stated that the nose gear was torn off and debris was scattered over a large area. A FAA inspector examined the wreckage on-scene and found no pre-impact anomalies.

Medical and pathological information

The Huntington County Coroner's Office arranged for the pilot's autopsy, which was performed on April, 25, 2006.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report was negative for the tests performed

The following medical information was extracted by the National Transportation Safety Board's Medical Officer, from records maintained on the pilot by the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division:

4/7/83 - A "Working Paper/Specialists' Recommendation" states, in

part: "... Petitioner hospitalized 1/30/79 for evaluation of chest pain ...

Coronary angiography ... revealed multiple vessel disease. Triple

vessel coronary artery bypass surgery was performed on 2/7/79. ...

Airman submitted the report of a cardiovascular evaluation ... dated

9/16/82 including stress test and blood chemistries ... consultants

noted that the airman apparently has never had repeat cardiac

catheterization and coronary angiography which they feel is

necessary ... they recommended that the airman's request be denied,

however, further indicated they are willing to reconsider his

request ... if he is able to submit both the report and films of a

repeat catheterization ... [Office of Aviation Medicine] staff ...

recommended that reconsideration be given if the airman submits

additional studies providing data on left ventricular function ... and

myocardial perfusion ... and a 24-hour Holter monitor. ..." There is

no indication in the records that the pilot ever submitted any

additional information as suggested in the working paper.

7/14/83 - A letter to the pilot from the Federal Air Surgeon states,

in part: "In respect to your request for airman medical certification,

I have reviewed your agency medical file. Based on the available

information which reveals a history of angina pectoris and other

evidence of coronary heart disease requiring bypass surgery, I have

concluded that you do not meet the medical standards ... of the

Federal Aviation Regulations. I therefore find you ineligible for the

issuance of a medical certificate under the established standards of

the regulations. You have also been given consideration for the

special issuance of a medical certificate ... I have determined,

however, that your medical condition precludes the safe performance

of airman duties ... Enclosed for your information is a working

paper prepared by the Office of Aviation Medicine...." There are no

documents in the FAA medical records more recent than this letter.

The National Transportation Safety Board's Medical Officer extracted the following medical information from the coroner's report and report of autopsy performed on the pilot for the Huntington County (Indiana) Coroner:

Under "Description of Investigation" is noted, in part: "... The

decedent had a medical history of heart disease. He had a triple

bypass in 1979, quadruple bypass in 1997 and a stint [sic] was

placed in June of 2004. ..."

Under "Cause of Death" is noted, "Coronary Thrombosis due to

Severe Occlusive Coronary Atherosclerosis."

Under "Other Conditions" is noted, "Multiple Blunt Force Injuries

due to Aircraft Crash."

Under "Heart" is noted: "There is no evidence of recent myocardial

infarction or necrosis. There is lateral left ventricular healed

myocardial injury. There is no myocardial contusion. There are no

defects in the atrial or ventricular septa. The ductus arteriosus is not

patent. Autolysis is not significant." There is no further gross

description of the heart.

Under "Microscopic Description" is noted: "Glass slides of tissue

samples were prepared and the MAJOR findings are described below:

Coronaries, Heart -

Severe occlusive atherosclerosis, main arteries and grafts.

Myocytic hypertrophy.

Kidneys- Arteriolonephrosclerosis."

Additional details of the location and extent of atherosclerosis of the coronary

arteries are not provided in the report.

Additional information

The FAA was a party to the investigation.