What happened
On a flight departing Swainsboro, Georgia, at 19:30 EST, a pilot initiated an IFR flight that ended in a loss of contact. Approximately twelve minutes after takeoff, the pilot notified Jacksonville Center that he was experiencing significant dizziness and an inability to see. Following this transmission, no further communication was received from the cockpit.
Radar tracking monitored the aircraft type at a constant altitude of 9,000 feet and a heading of 110 degrees until contact was lost at 21:30. Despite efforts to locate the plane via aerial interception and notifying all maritime vessels along the projected flight path of the estimated fuel exhaustion point, no wreckage or survivors were found. The search operation was eventually terminated after no contact was reported.
Findings
Investigations into the disappearance highlighted several medical factors regarding the pilot. Before the flight, the pilot had reported a headache to a family member. A subsequent review of medical documentation showed that the pilot had previously disclosed a history of unconsciousness on two separate medical certificate applications. Additionally, the pilot was undergoing treatment for hypertension using prescription medications, specifically chlorthalidone and Norvasc.