Aviat A-1 accident near Tyringham, Massachusetts, June 19, 2003
On June 19, 2003 at about 9:25 pm local time, a Aviat A-1, registered N49369, was destroyed in an accident near Tyringham, Massachusetts. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2003 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- Tyringham, Massachusetts · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat A-1
- Registration
- N49369 · no longer on the register · serial 1265
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses near the accident site recalled observing the airplane approach the airstrip heading north. The airplane then reversed its direction and began to head south. The witnesses then heard the airplane's engine quit, followed by the sound of a crash. The airplane came to rest about 300 yards beyond the airstrip, in a near vertical attitude, alongside a riverbank, where a post-crash fire ensued. The report of the autopsy performed on the pilot noted "Final Anatomic Diagnoses" including: "Multiple traumatic injuries," "Hypertrophy of heart," "Arteriosclerosis," and "Acute intramural hemorrhage." The "Clinical Summary" noted in part that the pilot had "a past medical history of coronary heart disease. " Review of the pilot's personal medical records revealed that he had a history of hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. Post-accident toxicological testing noted 11% carbon monoxide detected in the blood, and the prescription medications atenolol and diltiazem detected in blood and urine. Review of FAA medical records revealed that the pilot indicated on his two most recent applications for a third class medical certificate "No" in response to "Do You Currently Use Any Medication," have "Heart or vascular trouble," or "High or low blood pressure."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 406 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 7B9 Ellington CT at 9:00 pm
- Destination: NONE Tyringham MA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from PSF, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.