Tailwind W-8 N192S

Summary

On 31 January 2004 at about 17:45 local time, a Tailwind W-8 registered N192S was involved in an accident near San Pedro, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 January 2004 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

San Pedro, California, United States

Coordinates

33.7011, -118.2742

Aircraft

Tailwind W-8

Registration

N192S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Compton → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA110

1 person died.

The pilot's incapacitation during descent, which resulted in a loss of control and an in-flight collision with water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after departure, the airplane started a shallow descent over the ocean, which continued until it impacted the water. The autopsy revealed that the pilot had severe atherosclerotic heart disease and several stents implanted, as well as an internal defibrillator. The pilot's personal medical records revealed that he had a past medical history of "hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prostrate carcinoma, radiation colitis, a possible cerebrovascular accident, and mild dementia of Alzheimer's type." Post-accident toxicology testing revealed the presence of prescription medications for dementia and for heartburn. Six months prior to the accident the pilot reported that he did not have a notable medical history and that he was not taking prescription medication. After examining the internal defibrillator, a cardiologist stated that he could find no evidence of an arrhythmic death, nor any relation to the implanted defibrillator. Investigators observed no evidence of premishap mechanical malfunctions during the examination of the engine or airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.