C-FITAQP: 10a) MEDICAL INCAPACITATION
THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Incapacitation, in that the pilot continued to operate aircraft at age 78 while carrying passengers, and with known family history and personal medical history of heart disease. The pilot became incapacitated and succumbed while in flight, the right seat passenger landed the aircraft without further incident.
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 8/26/2026 – 22 months after the accident: The pilot’s incapacitation by an in-flight cardiac event that led to cardiac arrest.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft carefully consider their own age and medical propensity to in flight incapacitation, and fly with a qualified safety pilot when it becomes obviously prudent to do so.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
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