Legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley passed away Thursday, Oct. 16, after his family made the difficult decision to turn off his ventilator … and today his cause of death has been released, TMZ has learned.

TMZ confirms, Ace died as a result of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall.

According to the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner’s report … Ace suffered a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma — a collection of blood formed between the brain’s protective outer layer and the brain itself — and a stroke. His manner of death was ruled an accident.

The 74-year-old musician was put on life support after a nasty fall in a studio led to a brain bleed. According to the report, he underwent a procedure to evacuate the subdural hematoma, but to no avail.

Ace was a founding member of KISS … joining forces with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. He shredded guitar with the band from 1973 to 1982 … but left the group amid substance abuse issues and creative differences.

Back in March this year, Ace was all smiles talking about his comeback following a nasty arm injury … in an interview with New Jersey newspaper The Aquarian, he said, “I just spoke to a psychic. She goes, ‘Ace, you’re going to live to be a hundred.’ So I said, ‘No problem!'”

He’s the first original member of KISS to die.

1:30 PM PT — Coral Springs Police confirmed to TMZ … 2 people were killed in the crash. Police said the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office were investigating the incident.

Police warned local residents the strong odor of fuel was lingering in the air, and advised people to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed for the rest of the night.

A small plane crashed into a Florida neighborhood while reportedly en route to bring aid to Hurricane Melissa victims in Jamaica.

According to police in Coral Springs, Florida, authorities responded to a plane crash Monday at 10:19 AM. Police reported the scene was still active going into the afternoon … but no homes sustained major damage. There were no known casualties immediately reported.

In video captured of the incident, you can see the moment the aircraft crashes into a small lake, sending water and debris flying onto neighboring properties.

Local news station WPLG-TV reports the crash happened in the gated Windsor Bay neighborhood north of Miami, and resulted in a damaged fence.

According to WPLG, officials confirmed the plane is a Beechcraft King Air B100, which was reportedly manufactured in 1976.

Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten is denying he had a role in a spectator’s decision to storm the field during Sunday’s game against the Commanders … saying he didn’t utter a single word to the guy all night.

Video of the fan’s stunt made rounds on social media … and some folks claimed an interaction with Hatten caused the whole thing.

Hatten went to social media on Monday to explain that couldn’t be further from the truth … calling the claims “inaccurate.”

While it’s unclear what the field invader’s intentions truly were, storming the field is nothing new — it unfortunately happens all the time, even at the World Series.