IAD97LA076

Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane make a normal takeoff. According to them, after starting to climb, the airplane entered a descent and crashed. They reported seeing the airplane in a right-wing low position before it impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Examination of the airplane and the engine did not reveal any abnormalities. The pilot's last log book entry was dated 11/22/95. On 11/29/95, he had coronary artery bypass surgery. On 5/15/97, the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division denied the pilot a medical certificate 'due to objective evidence of myocardial ischemia by radionuclide scintigraphy.' An autopsy report of the pilot noted 'minimal cardiac tissue' for examination. Toxicology testing detected unspecified levels of metoprolol (a medication which reduces the heart rate response to stress) in the pilot's blood and liver fluid.

On May 26, 1997, at 1144 eastern daylight time, N61CD, a Dresbach RV-4, a homebuilt airplane, was destroyed when it collided with terrain after takeoff from the Haas Airport, Bainbridge, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated from the Ross County Airport, Chillicothe, Ohio.

The pilot was attending a fly-in breakfast at Bainbridge. He took off from a 1,900 foot long, grass strip. Witnesses reported that they observed the takeoff, and it seemed normal. They said that about 200 to 300 feet above the ground with the engine operating, the right wing of the airplane dropped down in a roll type maneuver, the nose pitched down, and the airplane struck the ground in a nose down attitude.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector, examination of the wreckage after the accident did not reveal any pre-impact failure of the airplane flight controls or engine.

Examination of the pilot's log book revealed that the last entry was dated November 22, 1995. According to the pilot's medical records, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery on November 29, 1995. He was on Lopressor (metoprolol) 25 mg a day in June of 1996. His application for a third class medical certificate on June 27, 1996, was deferred by his Aviation Medical Examiner, and ultimately denied by the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division on May 15, 1997, "due to objective evidence of myocardial ischemia by radionuclide scintigraphy." He did not have a current medical certificate at the time of the accident.

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. John Gabis, Coroner, Chillicothe, Ohio, on May 27, 1997.

Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The report stated that metoprolol was detected in blood and liver fluid.