Pilot Most Likely Experienced An Acute Cerebrovascular Event

Location: Caldwell, New Jersey Accident Number: ERA22LA414
Date & Time: September 9, 2022, 11:32 Local Registration: N8925Y
Aircraft: Piper PA-39 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Medical event Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The 84-year-old pilot and the passenger made two attempts to take off on a cross-country flight. According to the passenger, once she and the pilot boarded the airplane, the pilot said he forgot where they were going and had to ask the name of the airport. After informing the pilot of their destination, the pilot taxied to the runway and began to accelerate for takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff because he thought the passenger’s door was open. The door was secured, and the pilot taxied back to the runway. Just before taking off again, the pilot asked a second time where they were going. The passenger again had to tell the pilot their destination. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll, but aborted because he felt something was wrong with the airplane. The airplane went off the end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.

When first responders arrived on scene, they noted the pilot was confused and had memory problems. The pilot was hospitalized for neurological evaluation and consultation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pilot’s brain performed the day after the  accident demonstrated an acute-to-subacute lacunar stroke in the right medial temporal lobe. The pilot was discharged from the  hospital with a diagnosis of transient global amnesia. As such, the pilot most likely experienced an acute cerebrovascular event. Impairing symptoms of this event likely diminished his situational awareness and prompted him to intentionally abort the takeoff, resulting in the runway excursion.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s acute cerebrovascular event, which caused symptoms that diminished his situational awareness and prompted him to abort the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov