Incident Details
A pilot informed the airport manager that he needed to return to his home base. The manager advised against departure due to marginal weather conditions. The pilot requested the manager to obtain a weather briefing, which the manager did, and again advised the pilot not to depart. According to the manager, the pilot was in a very agitated state and stated his intention to depart regardless. The manager then advised the pilot to fly along the roads to avoid radio antennas situated between the departure and destination airports. Because the pilot said he did not have a sectional chart, the manager provided him with an old one.
Shortly after the pilot departed, a witness observed an airplane of similar color and design flying low over her truck. She reported that there was a light mist at the time. The airplane subsequently collided with the ground, with the right wing striking first.
Post-Accident Findings
The pathologist who performed the autopsy diagnosed the pilot as having severe cardiac disease.