Union, IL, USA
N19366
CESSNA 150L
The airline transport pilot reported that he was returning from a routine glider tow flight when he thought "something was wrong." He noted that it seemed to "get dark" although there was plenty of daylight. The airplane was high on the approach. The pilot continued the flight inbound but was unsure of the airplane's exact altitude or airspeed as it crossed the runway threshold, and he did not recall verifying that the engine power was at idle. The airplane "bounced down the field" and he flew toward an opening in the trees off the end of the runway. The pilot did not see the power lines until the airplane struck them and then came to rest in a field. The pilot recalled not having an "aviation related thought" during the landing. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had completed the Federal Aviation Administration BasicMed medical certification, which was valid at the time of the accident. The pilot described symptoms consistent with fainting or nearly fainting, which commonly occur when blood pressure is low and would have led to an inability to safely fly the airplane. The pilot thought that dehydration or heat exhaustion might have caused his symptoms. However, given his long-standing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, his difficulty effectively controlling it after the accident, his documented low blood pressure during those episodes, and his lack of symptoms during the episodes of atrial fibrillation other than "feeling bad," it is likely that his symptoms during the flight were related to an episode of atrial fibrillation associated with a rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. Therefore, symptomatic near fainting as a result of uncontrolled paroxysmal atrial fibrillation likely caused the accident.
On May 27, 2018, about 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L airplane, N19366, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with power lines and terrain after an attempted go-around at the Sky Soaring Airport (55LL), Union, Illinois. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sky Soaring Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from 55LL about 1800.The pilot had completed five glider tow flights during the afternoon. He took a break about 1700 before completing two additional glider tow flights. The initial six tow flights were completed without incident. The accident flight was conducted to 2,000 feet and the glider released without incident. The pilot recalled that during his return to the airport for landing "something was wrong." Although there was plenty of daylight, he stated that it seemed to "get dark." The airplane was high on the approach and he angled away from the runway to lose some altitude. He recalled continuing inbound but was unsure of the airspeed or altitude as the airplane crossed the threshold. He commented that there might have been some residual engine power on; however, he did not recall verifying that the throttle was at idle. The airplane was heading west into the sun and he aimed for an opening in the trees off the end of the runway. He did not see the power lines until it was too late. He recalled a "blue flash" and his next recollection was being treated by paramedics after the accident. The pilot recalled not having an "aviation related thought" as the airplane "bounced down the field," and noted that heat exhaustion or dehydration might have been responsible. He added that he had not had such an event, where things seemed to "get dark," either before or since the accident. He did not perceive any issues with the airplane during the accident flight. A witness reported that the pilot was returning from a glider tow flight at the time of the accident. The pilot had executed a go-around and was climbing out when the airplane impacted powerlines about 600 ft from the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright in an agricultural field about 200 ft from the power lines. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. A review of the pilot's medical records revealed that he had reported several medical conditions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including non-obstructive coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. After review of additional information, the FAA issued a special issuance medical certificate with a requirement to wear distant vision corrective lenses and to have near vision corrective lenses available. The certificate was not valid for any class after June 30, 2013. The pilot had subsequently completed the requirements for certification under BasicMed on August 24, 2017. His BasicMed certification was valid at the time of the accident. During his postaccident treatment for multiple traumatic injuries, the pilot developed episodes of recurrent atrial fibrillation associated with low blood pressure. He was unaware of any palpitations during the atrial fibrillation episodes but did "feel bad" which was thought to be related to the low blood pressure.
The pilot’s medical impairment at the time of the accident, which resulted in a collision with power lines off the end of the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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