The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has recommended that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) review the country's medical certification standards. It follows the crash of a Piper Aztec PA-23-250 twin-engined utility aircraft in Queensland that has been attributed to pilot incapacitation caused by coronary artery disease, writes Emma Kelly.
The aircraft crashed, killing a family of five, near Mareeba, Queensland in October 2003. Shortly after take-off, the Aztec banked to the left and control was lost at a height from which recovery was not possible, says the ATSB. The crash and post-impact fire resulted in significant melting and destruction of much of the aircraft structure and components, but no pre-existing defect that could have contributed to the crash was found.
A post-mortem examination of the pilot found significant narrowing of the coronary arteries. The pilot had a valid medical certificate at the time of the accident. CASA says it will review its medical requirements
Source: Flight International
