Cessna Aircraft Co. 162 N162KG accident near Memphis, Tennessee

Probable cause

Pilot incapacitation due to an acute cardiac event.

NTSB analysis

After takeoff, the pilot maneuvered the airplane in the local area for about 30 minutes. He then contacted approach control and informed the controller that he was experiencing chest pains. The airplane became established on a course to return to the departure airport. However, a few minutes later, the flight track abruptly turned away from the airport. The airplane entered a descent and impacted a soybean field. The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer were damaged during impact. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

The pilot had a history of coronary artery disease, including a previous heart attack, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Records demonstrated that he was intermittently non-compliant with his medication regimen. Considering the evidence about the pilot’s underlying severe coronary artery disease, his non-compliance with his medical regimen, likely continued use of tobacco, and reported chest pain to air traffic control, it is likely the pilot experienced an in-flight acute cardiac event, most likely cardiac ischemia, that caused the accident. The investigation could not determine if effects from his use of the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine contributed to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22FA217 for the full record.