Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: XIV. Ischaemic heart disease: a problem in aircraft accident reconstruction

A twin-engine light aircraft crashed at night on the third ILS approach. Runway Visual Range was 300 m. All four occupants were killed. The owner, aged 61, one of the two crew members, occupied the left-hand seat and was found to have an old, extensive antero-lateral infarct and severe coronary artery disease. There was no evidence of recent pathological change. A large number of drugs was found in the personal effects of the owner, including Allopurinol, Indomethacin, and Flurazepam. Subsequent investigation revealed that the owner had his PPL withdrawn 12 months prior to the accident on account of myocardial infarction. The problem of pilot control and the significance of cardiovascular disease as a possible cause for the accident are discussed.