Narrative:
While on an instrument flight plan in IMC, the flight was cleared for an instrument approach to the South Lake Tahoe Airport, the intended destination. The aircraft departed the initial approach fix on the published transition to the final approach course. Radar contact was lost at 11,400 feet. Afterward, the aircraft was observed descending out of clouds and manoeuvring erratically in VMC until it impacted terrain with no apparent attempt to recover. Medical records revealed pilot had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and recent loss of 41 pounds on a rigid weight loss program. The autopsy revealed severe arteriosclorosis. Medical records indicated the pilot had been taking diazide intermittently for several years. Post-accident tox results were negative. The circumstances of the accident, in combination with the pilot's severe diet, medical history, and postmortem examination results support the conclusion that the pilot became incapacitated in flight.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
Incapacitation(other cardiovascular)..pilot in command
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 17 July 1987 |
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Type: |  Beechcraft B200 Super King Air |
| Operator: | Richard P. Lieberman |
| Registration: | N1870S |
| MSN: | BB-1106 |
| First flight: | 1983 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 478 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Crystal Bay, NV ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Hayward Air Terminal, CA (HWD/KHWD), United States of America |
| Lake Tahoe Airport, CA (TVL/KTVL), United States of America |
While on an instrument flight plan in IMC, the flight was cleared for an instrument approach to the South Lake Tahoe Airport, the intended destination. The aircraft departed the initial approach fix on the published transition to the final approach course. Radar contact was lost at 11,400 feet. Afterward, the aircraft was observed descending out of clouds and manoeuvring erratically in VMC until it impacted terrain with no apparent attempt to recover. Medical records revealed pilot had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and recent loss of 41 pounds on a rigid weight loss program. The autopsy revealed severe arteriosclorosis. Medical records indicated the pilot had been taking diazide intermittently for several years. Post-accident tox results were negative. The circumstances of the accident, in combination with the pilot's severe diet, medical history, and postmortem examination results support the conclusion that the pilot became incapacitated in flight.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
Incapacitation(other cardiovascular)..pilot in command
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Flightcrew incapacitation Loss of control
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Hayward Air Terminal, CA to Lake Tahoe Airport, CA as the crow flies is 229 km (143 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Hayward Air Terminal, CA to Lake Tahoe Airport, CA as the crow flies is 229 km (143 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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