Accident Overview
On April 12, 2009, at about 1405 eastern daylight time, a Beech B200, registration N559DW, operated by White Equipment Leasing LLC, was landed uneventfully by a pilot-rated passenger at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida. The incident followed the incapacitation of the pilot shortly after takeoff from Marco Island Airport (MKY) in Marco Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight from MKY to Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN) in Jackson, Mississippi. The airplane was not damaged. The certificated airline transport pilot was pronounced dead after arrival. The pilot-rated passenger and three additional passengers were not injured. The flight originated from MKY about 1315.
Events
The airplane owner, a certificated private pilot with an airplane single-engine land rating, occupied the co-pilot's seat. He stated that the incident pilot flew the airplane to MKY that day, arriving about 1245 to 1300. The pilot assisted with loading baggage, and the owner did not notice anything wrong. The pilot did not mention any physical problems.
Approximately 5 to 8 minutes after takeoff, while flying northbound and climbing, the pilot said, "OK, climb checklist," and using the checklist, verbalized each item and pointed to the respective instrument/switch. After completion, the pilot put the checklist away, and the flight continued on the northerly heading.
A review of a voice tape from Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center revealed that the pilot established contact with the facility, and the controller cleared the flight to climb to 14,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot did not respond to the clearance. About 20 seconds later, the owner, seated in the co-pilot's seat, declared an emergency, advising the controller of the pilot's incapacitation and the need to speak with someone familiar with the B200 airplane.
The owner stated that approximately 1 to 3 minutes after completion of the climb checklist, while flying between 5,000 and 6,000 feet msl, he noticed the pilot's head was down and both hands were at his sides. The owner attempted to get the pilot's attention, but the pilot made an audible sound that increased in intensity, and his right hand fell off his thigh. The pilot did not make any further sounds.
Further review of the voice tape showed the flight continued northbound, climbing to approximately 17,300 feet msl. Another Miami ARTCC controller talked the owner through disengaging the autopilot, descending, and heading changes. Communications were then transferred to Fort Myers Approach Control. That controller provided information regarding landing gear, flaps, power levers, and airspeed settings. The flight was vectored for a 15-mile-long final approach for runway 6 at RSW, and the airplane was landed uneventfully. The owner taxied onto a taxiway, where the engines were secured and medical personnel were standing by.
Medical Information
Forensic toxicology was performed by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory (CAMI) and Wuesthoff Reference Laboratory. CAMI results were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and volatiles; an unspecified amount of Atropine was detected in the blood. Wuesthoff results were negative for immunoassay screen and volatiles in femoral blood; caffeine was detected. The urine specimen was negative on immunoassay drug screen.
The NTSB Medical Officer reviewed the pilot's FAA medical records. The most recent application for a third-class Airman Medical Certificate, dated November 20, 2008, indicated use of clopidogrel, aspirin, amlodipine, and simvastatin, and noted "heart or vascular trouble" and "high or low blood pressure," with a stent in the right coronary artery. A letter from the Aviation Medical Examiner dated January 6, 2009, noted the pilot underwent a stent to the right coronary artery and was in excellent health.
An autopsy performed by the Office of the District 21 Medical Examiner in Fort Myers, Florida, listed the cause of death as "Hypertensive and Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease." Internal examination revealed an enlarged heart (460 grams), coronary artery disease, and a remote myocardial infarction. A cardiovascular pathology report on the right coronary artery with stent showed mild in-stent restenosis with approximately 25% luminal narrowing, but no luminal thrombus.
Conclusion
The incident resulted from a medical event leading to pilot incapacitation. No further analysis is provided in the source material.