Flight and Descent
The pilot completed an outbound flight without incident and appeared to be in good spirits before departing alone for the return leg. The second flight progressed normally until air traffic control cleared the pilot from 8,000 feet mean sea level (msl) to 5,000 feet msl, an instruction that was acknowledged. Visual meteorological conditions were present at the time. Radar data indicated the airplane initiated and maintained a descent rate of 500 feet per minute until radar contact was lost at approximately 400 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot did not report any difficulties during the descent or while en route.
Impact and Wreckage
The airplane struck trees at the top of a ridge in a nearly level attitude, then came to rest about 1,450 feet farther down the slope at the bottom of a ravine. An examination of the wreckage found no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions.
Pilot Medical History
The pilot had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease—a chronic recurrent gastrointestinal condition with no clear surgical cure—for approximately 35 years. He had undergone several surgeries more than 20 years prior to the accident. On June 11, 1998, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a letter stating the pilot was eligible for a first-class medical certificate. The letter did not require follow-up gastroenterological review but reminded the pilot that he was prohibited from operating an aircraft if new symptoms or adverse changes occurred, or if medication was needed. The pilot's condition appeared stable until about five months before the accident. During that period, he experienced weight loss and blood loss, was prescribed several medications—including intravenous meperidine—received three units of blood, and had a peripherally inserted central catheter placed. On his airman medical application dated one month before the accident, the pilot reported no current use of any medications and did not note any changes to his health. A toxicological test conducted after the accident detected meperidine in the pilot's tissue.