Incident Overview
A flight instructor heard the pilot of the accident airplane call his entry to the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. After the instructor entered the traffic pattern, he observed the accident airplane, where it had come to rest against a tree.
Investigation Findings
An on-scene investigation revealed no anomalies with the airplane or engine.
Pilot Medical History
According to a sheriff's report, the pilot had been on medication for epileptic seizures; however, the attending doctor was not aware that he was a pilot. The pilot's last medical exam was on May 24, 1994, but reportedly, he had not provided information about his epileptic condition to the designated medical examiner during application for the medical certificate.
A pathologist that examined the pilot's body also noted that the pilot had significant cardiac disease. According to him, ". . . either of these maladies could have caused loss of consciousness-control . . . ."