The Accident
Witnesses observed the airplane taxiing at a high speed toward the runway and, shortly thereafter, saw it diving vertically at full power toward the runway. Investigation of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly. Postmortem examination of the pilot revealed no evidence of incapacitation.
Background of the Pilot
The pilot was a local television meteorologist and weathercaster. According to coworkers, he had been depressed over recent media accounts of his alleged extramarital affair and harassment of a local woman who had recently obtained a court order of protection against him. Coworkers also reported that the pilot told them he had attempted suicide twice in the last few days. One of those attempts was reportedly made while he was flying his airplane.
Investigation Findings
The postmortem examination showed no evidence of incapacitation. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were found in the wreckage. The investigation did not identify any apparent causal factors from the aircraft itself.