Probable cause
The pilot's incapacitation due to a cardiac event.
NTSB analysis
During the initial takeoff on the airplane's maiden flight, witnesses observed the airplane climb to about 300 feet above ground level, turn left, descend and impact the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies. An autopsy revealed that that the pilot's left anterior descending artery had up to 70-percent stenosis with 100-percent stenosis in many of the branches. With a lack of control-type injuries to the pilot's extremities, the medical examiner concluded that it was possible that the pilot experienced a sudden cardiac death shortly after takeoff.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11FA346 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 22, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Erie, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Erie Municipal (KEIK)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built CASSUTT III M
- N-number
- N420FH
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.