Flight and Maneuvering
During a cross-country flight, approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes after departure, the airplane was observed circling a small private airport. The airport was located about 130 miles north of the planned route of flight. Witnesses reported that the airplane initially circled the airport in an erratic manner at an altitude of 300 to 500 feet. At an altitude of 200 feet above the airport, the airplane rolled left to a bank angle of nearly 90 degrees and descended rapidly to the ground at a fuselage angle of 45 degrees.
Pilot Medical Background
Investigation revealed that the pilot suffered from Parkinson's disease and held an FAA medical certificate with restrictions pertaining to the manifestations of that disease. The investigation also revealed that the pilot had severe coronary disease and possibly experienced temporal lobe, partial, complex psychomotor seizures.
Aircraft Condition
No evidence was found of a preimpact aircraft failure or malfunction.