Event Description
An airplane departed from runway 18, but witnesses noted that it lifted off at a point farther down the runway than usual. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane began striking trees along its flight path and subsequently descended to the ground.
Examination Findings
An on-scene examination of the runway revealed the presence of a chemical dump located approximately 130 feet north of the departure end of runway 18.
An autopsy report on the pilot documented myocarditis of the heart's left ventricle and hardening of the kidney's arteries. The pathologist's report indicated that the myocarditis may have caused an arrhythmia, which might have led to a loss of consciousness.
The FAA's toxicological report identified the presence of norpropoxyphene in the pilot's urine sample, though the quantity was not specified.