The Maui News reported that a factual report filed by the NTSB investigator indicated that the twin-engine Cessna 310K flown by Ward Mareels, 54, of Kailua, O'ahu, was operating normally when it flew into the ground at 3,750-feet elevation at 9:24 p.m.

Mareels was thrown from the plane and killed. The aircraft burst into flames that could be seen by residents around the Keokea region on the night of the crash.

Mareels, who owned the aircraft through his business, Ward Aviation, had made a number of flights to and around the Big Island during the week before the crash, carrying family members of athletes participating in the Ironman Triathlon. The NTSB said he had flown two people from the Big Island to Maui on Oct. 17, a Sunday, and was returning to the Kona airport, citing information provided by a friend of Mareels.

"The friend indicated that the pilot was returning to Kona to transport more passengers on Monday from Kona to Maui," the NTSB said. "The friend also mentioned that about mid-week, the pilot had gotten a cold and was not participating in the after-hours activities that were planned for the athletes."

A toxicological analysis of the pilot found that he had taken a number of common cold medications: chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine; dextrorphan and dextromethorphan, two common cough suppressants; and pseudoephedrine, a common decongestant. All are found in common over-the-counter medications available to treat cold symptoms.

Many of the medications that contain the chemicals include warnings against operating machinery and the possibility that the medication can cause drowsiness.

The investigator's factual report will go to the National Transportation Safety Board for a determination of probable cause of the fatal crash.

According to the report, the weather was clear, but dark with no moon on the night of the crash. Federal Aviation Administration reports said Mareels had left Kahului Airport at 9:18 p.m., was instructed by the air traffic controller to turn to 165 degrees — a heading that would take him south toward Haleakala — and climb to 1,000 feet.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot checked with the Honolulu Flight Control Center, which advised him he could determine his flight altitude on his own. At 9:21 p.m., he radioed that he was at 3,000 feet.

A radar track of a transponder signal from the aircraft showed it had climbed to 3,600 feet at 9:22 p.m. on a compass heading of 143 degrees.

At the crash site, investigators reported no obvious defects in either engine, with examination of the engine parts indicating that both propellers had been in operation when they struck the ground.