What happened
Shortly after departing from the airport, the pilot of the aircraft initiated a turn to return to the departure airfield. During this period, the pilot began coughing and subsequently lost consciousness. The individual occupying the right seat, who possessed no flight training, assumed control of the aircraft to manage the emergency.
Following the pilot's incapacitation, the passenger attempted to land the aircraft multiple times. During the fourth approach, the aircraft entered a stall while at a low altitude. The plane struck the ground on its belly, coming to rest a few hundred feet before the runway threshold. The incident resulted in fatalities for the pilot, as confirmed by medical examination.
Findings
An autopsy determined that the pilot's death was caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which led to the sudden medical event that incapacitated him during the flight.