June 29 Takeoff Crash At I58 Claimed Five

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its Probable Cause report on the June 29 takeoff downing of a Cessna U206F in Santa Rosa, NM... and while investigators say it's impossible to know for certain, there is evidence the pilot may have suffered a heart attack.

As ANN reported, the crash claimed the lives of all five people onboard the Stationair. Witnesses said the plane stalled while making a steep climbing left turn out from the airport (I58), and caught fire on impact with the runway.

"The autopsy report noted that the pilot had severe narrowing of a major coronary artery and evidence of a clot formed at the site of that narrowing," reads the NTSB report. "The report further stated that "it is possible that the decedent experienced acute cardiac symptoms (such as a heart attack) shortly after take off."

There may have been other factors to the crash, as well. Estimates of the plane's payload and fuel capacity performed by investigators showed the C206 had an aft CG at time of takeoff, and depending on fuel load may have been about 37 lbs. over gross as well... in conflict with the pilot's calculations, retrieved from the wreckage, which showed the plane within limits.

No deficiencies with the plane's airframe or engine were evident. Density altitude at the airport was estimated at 6,692 feet at the time of the accident, according to the Probable Cause report.

FMI: Read The Full Report