Pilot Debrief

Cessna 550 near Mesquite, NV — 2019-07-18

Final reportWPR19TA193
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Date
2019-07-18
Location
Mesquite, NV, USA
Airport
67L
Aircraft
Cessna 550
Registration
N320JT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's operation of the airplane while intoxicated, which resulted in a loss of airplane control on landing.

NTSB narrative

While approaching class B airspace, the airline transport pilot was in communication with a controller who later stated that the pilot's speech was slurred, and the controller repeatedly asked if the oxygen system on the airplane was working properly. As the airplane approached a nearby airport, about 85 miles from his destination airport, the pilot stated he had the airport in sight and repeatedly requested a visual approach. The controller instructed the pilot to continue his flight to his destination, in a southwest direction. As the controller attempted to maintain communications, the pilot dropped off radar shortly after passing the nearby airport and subsequently landed at the nearby airport, which was not his destination airport. According to a surveillance video and impact marks on the runway, the airplane landed hard about halfway down the runway and slid to a stop on the left side of the runway. The airplane fuselage and wings were mostly consumed by postimpact fire. After authorities arrived onsite, the pilot was arrested for operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol. The pilot was found to have a blood alcohol level of .288, which likely contributed to the pilot landing at the incorrect airport and his subsequent loss of airplane control during landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have flown under the influence of alcohol.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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