What happened
On September 28, 2014, at approximately 1000 Atlantic daylight time, a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26, registration N906GD, was taxiing for takeoff at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (TJRV) in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The aircraft was operating as an on-demand air taxi flight from TJRV to Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport (TJCP) in Isla de Culebra, Puerto Rico.
The pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway, he experienced dizziness and subsequently lost consciousness. During this period, the aircraft veered off the taxiway and entered a ditch. Upon regaining consciousness, the pilot found the engines were still running and the six passengers were inquiring about instructions. The pilot then shut down the engines and directed the passengers to exit through the rear of the aircraft.
The incident resulted in one minor injury to the pilot, while the six passengers were not injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
An inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found substantial damage to the nose gear firewall of the aircraft.
A review of the pilot's most recent medical evaluation, conducted on September 25, 2014, for an FAA first-class medical certificate, showed the pilot was in good health with only limitations regarding corrective lenses. There were no records of medication use or recent visits to healthcare providers. The pilot noted that the weather was extremely hot that day and that he had not eaten breakfast prior to the flight.