Summary
On February 09, 1997, a Piper PA-44-180T (N8457H) was involved in an accident near Caldwell, NJ. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack.
On February 9, 1997 at 1643 Eastern Standard Time, N8457H, a Piper PA-44-180T, was on a personal flight when the pilot became incapacitated and died during a flight to Lincoln Park Airport (N07), Lincoln Park, New Jersey. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was not damaged. The departure point was Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey.
According to the pilot-rated passenger, the airplane was level at 2,500 feet, approaching the Lincoln Park Airport. The pilot "...slumped over onto the controls." The pilot-rated passenger restrained the pilot and took control of the airplane.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC97LA051. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8457H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On February 9, 1997 at 1643 Eastern Standard Time, N8457H, a Piper PA-44-180T, was on a personal flight when the pilot became incapacitated and died during a flight to Lincoln Park Airport (N07), Lincoln Park, New Jersey. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was not damaged. The departure point was Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey.
According to the pilot-rated passenger, the airplane was level at 2,500 feet, approaching the Lincoln Park Airport. The pilot "...slumped over onto the controls." The pilot-rated passenger restrained the pilot and took control of the airplane. He chose to land at Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey, because the airplane was oriented on a straight-in approach to Runway 22. He advised the control tower of the medical emergency and proceeded to the airport. After landing, attempts to revive the pilot were unsuccessful. The pilot-rated passenger stated that he was later informed the pilot suffered a heart attack as a result of severe heart disease.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC97LA051