Post-Game Aircraft Accident Involves Pilot with Severe Coronary Artery Disease (N15331)

Incident Background and Timeline The aircraft and its three occupants had traveled to the area earlier in the day to attend a football game. Airport personnel reported that the group returned to the airport around 2030, after the control tower had closed. The tower had been staffed for two hours before and after the game. Before departure, line service personnel added 24 gallons of fuel to the aircraft, which the line service manager stated filled the tanks. ## Witness Accounts and Flight Behavior Multiple witnesses observed the aircraft climbing in a westerly direction at approximately 200 feet above ground level. The aircraft was in a nose-high attitude with its lights on. Witnesses described the wings rocking, followed by a left turn and a nose-low attitude before the aircraft impacted the water. Several witnesses reported that the engine was revving and sounded loud, with one describing it as being at full power. ## Investigation Findings Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact discrepancies. A postmortem examination of the pilot indicated that he died from multiple blunt force injuries. The examination also revealed severe coronary artery disease, including occlusion of the left main coronary artery, 70% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery, and 90% stenosis of the left circumflex artery.