Incident Overview
An air taxi pilot conducting a river landing experienced a medical event while water taxiing. After the pilot landed on the river, two passengers exited the aircraft. The airplane's owner flew over the area and initially saw the pilot wave. Subsequently, the owner noticed the airplane moving slowly across the water in a taxiing manner.
Sequence of Events
The owner flew low over the river and observed the pilot slumped over the controls. The airplane continued to taxi and eventually struck the river bank. The owner then landed and approached the aircraft. The pilot was found not breathing and without a pulse. Emergency medical services were summoned, and the pilot was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Investigation Findings
An autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. The autopsy protocol attributed the pilot's death to acute coronary insufficiency due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and abnormal coronary artery distribution. No other contributing factors were noted in the source material.