On January 23, 1991, a Cessna 310 (registration N3602D) operated by Fosmire, William L was involved in an aviation accident near Brunswick, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which may have been related to a medical event. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft crashed into trees near Jesup, Georgia, while en route to St. Simons Island. The pilot was killed in the accident.
What happened
The flight departed from Jesup, Georgia, with its destination set for St. Simons Island, Georgia. During the approach phase, witnesses observed the aircraft maintaining a shallow descent profile. At the time of impact with a cluster of trees, the engines were recorded as running at a high rate of speed.
The investigation
A medical examination was conducted on the pilot following the accident. The physician who performed the autopsy noted specific physiological indicators regarding the pilot's condition at the moment of the crash.
Findings
The medical evidence provided critical insight into the sequence of events leading to the impact. The autopsy results indicated that there was sufficient evidence to suggest the pilot's heart had ceased beating prior to the aircraft striking the trees.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which may have been related to a medical event.