Incident Description
During a turn-around maneuver, witnesses observed the airplane enter a nose-high attitude before descending toward the ground in a nose-down vertical attitude. On-scene examination of the airplane and ground scars revealed a near-vertical ground impact.
Investigation Findings
In conversations with his employer prior to the accident, the pilot stated that he was having chest pains and indigestion, and was visiting the hospital for these problems. The pilot was also taking prescribed medications to control his blood pressure. According to the FAA Regional Flight Surgeon, one of the medications, doxazosin, has side effects that can cause someone to pass out if they stand up quickly.
The autopsy revealed evidence that the pilot may have suffered a heart attack prior to impact that would have resulted in incapacitation. Additionally, the pilot may have had a G-induced loss of consciousness due to taking medications.