Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 32 near Morrison, TN — 2017-11-08

Final reportERA18FA016
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Date
2017-11-08
Location
Morrison, TN, USA
Airport
RNC
Aircraft
PIPER PA 32
Registration
N47831
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilots' loss of control during a missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated private pilot and flight instructor were conducting a cross-country flight in night instrument meteorological conditions; the destination airport reported 2 1/2 nautical miles visibility in mist and an overcast ceiling at 500 ft above ground level about the time of the accident. After performing a missed approach at the intended destination airport, the controller cleared the airplane to an alternate airport and provided the weather conditions at that airport, which included 300 ft overcast cloud ceiling. One of the pilots asked the controller to verify the ceiling at the alternate airport and stated that he would tune the radio to the airport's AWOS (automated weather observation service) to listen for himself. Radar data showed that the airplane entered a right descending spiral shortly thereafter. About 25 seconds later, one of the pilots declared a mayday; there were no further communications from the airplane. Radar indicated that the airplane reached a descent rate of about 4,500 ft per minute before radar contact was lost. The accident site was located in a field about 1,500 ft from the last radar return; the damage to the airplane and distribution of the wreckage were consistent with a high velocity impact. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. The relatively high workload associated with the missed approach and diversion along with the night instrument meteorological conditions present at the time were conducive to the development of pilot spatial disorientation. The airplane's rapid descent as depicted on radar and the high-energy impact are consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation. Given the lack of mechanical anomalies found with the airplane, it is likely that the mayday declaration occurred after the onset of spatial disorientation and the subsequent loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Spatial disorientation
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to divert instead of continuing approach in poor weather.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents27

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