Accident Timeline
The pilot's son reported that he called his father's residence and airstrip at 2100 central standard time. The house-sitter stated that the airplane had not arrived. The son arrived at the residence at 2200 central standard time and searched the road in front of the airstrip for signs of the airplane. At 2220 central standard time, he contacted the Elk County, Kansas, Sheriff. The Sheriff informed him that an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was being received near the airstrip.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was located approximately 3,500 feet northeast of the airstrip. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies.
Pilot's Medical History
An autopsy performed on the pilot revealed coronary artery atherosclerosis with up to 95-100 percent narrowing of the coronary arteries, and an old myocardial infarct of the posterior lateral left ventricle. The Sedgwick County, Kansas, Deputy Coroner/Medical Examiner, who examined the pilot, stated that the pilot was at high risk for arrhythmia. He also noted that an opened container of Nitroglycerine tablets was found in the pilot's shirt pocket.
Toxicology Results
FAA toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot detected Moricizine in the blood and urine. According to the 52nd Edition of the Physicians' Desk Reference (1998), Moricizine is an orally-administered prescription medication indicated for the treatment of documented ventricular arrhythmia, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia, that, in the judgment of a physician, are life-threatening.