Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 7GCBC near Imperial, NE — 2012-08-04

Final reportCEN12FA517
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Date
2012-08-04
Location
Imperial, NE, USA
Aircraft
BELLANCA 7GCBC
Registration
N36286
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while flying toward the rising sun, which interfered with his ability to see the terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted rising terrain while traveling in a generally eastward direction. Postaccident examination of the airplane and its systems did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. At the time of the accident, the airplane was travelling east into the rising sun. The sun’s position was about 14 degrees above the horizon and 80 degrees east of north. It is likely that the pilot was blinded by the sun during this portion of the flight and did not see the rising terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided maneuvering near rising terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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