General Aviation Crash at Private Strip Near Dover AFB (N24236)

Incident Overview and Pilot Background The aircraft was owned and operated by a pilot who did not hold an FAA medical certificate. The pilot was in the end stage of larynx cancer and had complications including anemia and hemoptysis. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft take off at approximately 1030 Eastern Standard Time. ## Crash Sequence and Observations About an hour after takeoff, a nearby resident heard what she believed was an engine “missing” and went outside, but saw nothing. She returned inside and heard a loud noise, which she believed was the aircraft crashing. When she went outside again, she still did not see anything. Soon afterward, the aircraft was observed where it had crashed beside the approach end of Runway 36 at the pilot’s private strip. ## Damage and Investigation Findings Evidence indicated the aircraft crashed in a steep nose-down, wings-level attitude. The aircraft was extensively damaged during impact. The investigation found no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or engine. ## Weather Conditions About 20 miles southeast at Dover AFB, the weather was reported as 500 feet scattered clouds, 900 feet broken clouds, visibility 2 miles with fog and rain. Freezing rain and snow began falling shortly after the accident. The pilot’s brother believed the aircraft iced up.