Cessna 172N N5427J

Summary

On 10 February 2012 at about 18:40 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N5427J, operated by Pro Flite Aviation, was involved in an accident near Floresville, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 February 2012 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Floresville, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.1500, -98.2728

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N5427J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Pro Flite Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Antonio → San Antonio

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12FA154

1 person died.

The medical incapacitation of the pilot due to a sudden cardiac arrhythmia or acute myocardial infarction.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a local flight, the pilot contacted an air traffic controller and stated he was returning to his departure airfield. Subsequently, the airplane disappeared from radar, and there was no reported distress call from the pilot or witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was found in an open field. At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Impact markings were consistent with the airplane having been in about a 90-degree nose-low attitude when it impacted terrain. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An autopsy performed on the pilot noted evidence of an enlarged heart and extensive coronary artery disease. Given this information and the pilot’s history of a left anterior hemiblock, it is likely that the pilot became incapacitated due to a sudden cardiac arrhythmia or acute myocardial infarction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.