Events Leading to the Accident
On the day of the accident, the pilot took off at approximately 0935 Pacific daylight time. At 0945, he advised the radar controller that he was returning to the departure airport, stating he was not feeling well. One minute later, the controller asked if he was feeling any better; the pilot's response was unintelligible. At 0950, the pilot transmitted, "Tower, get an ambulance to the field."
Collision and Final Position
Several eyewitnesses observed the airplane approaching the airport at a low altitude. As it descended, it entered a steep left bank and collided with the side of a parked truck. The airplane came to rest approximately 3.3 nautical miles from the airport.
Medical History and Certification
In 1999, the manager of the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division reviewed the pilot's medical information, which revealed a history of congestive heart failure and other ailments. The FAA determined the pilot was ineligible for issuance of a third-class aviation medical certificate. However, upon the pilot's submission of additional medical information, the FAA granted authorization for special issuance of the requested third-class medical certificate. The certificate was subsequently renewed, and at the time of the accident, it bore an expiration date of August 31, 2001.
Autopsy Findings
In the autopsy report, the deputy medical examiner indicated that the "history of severe cardiac dysfunction and the findings of severe arteriosclerosis and myocardial scarring and granulation tissue suggest that the [the pilot's] incapacitation was likely due to an acute cardiac event."