On June 4, 2006, a Cessna A185E (registration N185JF) was involved in an aviation accident near Park Valley, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Incapacitation of the pilot secondary to a myocardial infarction. A ditch was a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experiencing heartburn and feeling unwell made a smooth emergency landing on a state highway. After landing, the airplane veered into a ditch. The pilot was unresponsive during rollout and later died from occlusive coronary artery disease.
Accident Summary
A pilot reported to his wife, who was seated in the co-pilot's seat, that he was experiencing heartburn and not feeling well. He stated that he was going to land on a nearby state highway. The pilot's wife reported that the landing was "smooth"; however, shortly after landing, the airplane veered off the highway and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the highway.
Pilot's Condition
Passengers reported that the pilot was unresponsive during the landing rollout. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel reported that the pilot was unresponsive when they arrived at the scene of the accident. The pilot was transported to the hospital; however, he did not recover from his medical condition.
Medical Findings
A postmortem examination of the pilot revealed that the pilot's cause of death was attributed to occlusive coronary artery disease.