10a) MEDICAL INCAPACITATION, C-FIT

Piper J3 | N98416

May 4th, 2025 | Wilson, Kansas

Accident Location

  • City: Wilson
  • State: Kansas
  • Latitude: 38.83
  • Longitude: -98.426667
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N98416
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: J3
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Thompson, Ronnie Dwayne
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 77
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: No
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: Yes

Analysis

  • Date: May 4th, 2025
  • Time: 1:30 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN25FA166
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 10a) MEDICAL INCAPACITATION, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be an in flight medical incapacitation, as the accident pilot was in communication with another aircraft that was flying with the accident pilot to the same location. All was normal until the aircraft began a descending right hand turn that both tightened and steepened until impact. The accident aircraft was known to have a nose down and right turning tendency which required constant slight aft and left control stick pressure to maintain level flight. The 77 year old accident pilot likely lost consciousness in flight due to an unknown medical condition.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft constantly self assess their medical condition and propensity to in flight incapacitation, and avoid solo flight when age and medical conditions are present that make incapacitation possible.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.