CESSNA 172S near Tallahassee, FL — 2009-11-05

Probable cause

The pilots' spatial disorientation during flight in dark conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed and climbed straight ahead to an altitude of about 600 feet before it began a left turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. It continued on a flight path toward hundreds of square miles of unlit, national forest land with the moon just above the horizon and behind the airplane. The airplane reached an altitude of about 1,000 feet as it turned from the crosswind leg to the downwind leg, and then descended in a continuous left arc toward the airport. The air traffic tower controller perceived the descent immediately and transmitted the airplane's registration number over the radio. One of the pilots responded by restating the number in business-like tone and there were no further communications from either pilot. Examination of the trees and airplane damage along the wreckage path was consistent with a shallow, wings-level, high-speed descent that suggested either one or both pilots nearly recovered control of the airplane during the last several seconds of descent to ground contact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Federal Aviation Administration guidance indicates that spatial disorientation can occur when there is no natural horizon or surface reference, such as a night flight in sparsely populated areas similar to that of the accident conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Spatial disorientation

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have maintained altitude instead of initiating a left turn.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Approach-VFR pattern downwind
• Spatial Disorientation

Evidence available

• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 20 docket documents

Docket documents20

• ATC Controller Statementatc
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Chief Pilot Statementinterview
• Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigationinterview
• Airplane 100 Hour Inspectionother
• Flight Instructor Flight Recordsother
• Pilot Flight Recordsother
• Sun and Moon Dataother
• Photograph #1: View of Ground Visibility after Accident (Courtesy of TLH Fire Department)photos
• Photograph #2: View of Main Wreckage from Initial Ground Scar (Courtesy of Lycoming)photos
• Photograph #3: View Opposite the Direction of Travel (Courtesy of Lycoming)photos
• Photograph #4: Angularly Cut Wood (Courtesy of Lycoming)photos
• Photograph #5: Nose Cowling (Courtesy of Lycoming)photos
• Photograph #6: Paint Transfer on Propeller Spacer (Courtesy of Lycoming)photos
• Radar Plot Dataradar
• Radar Trackradar
• Flight Instructor Toxicological Reportreport
• Materials Laboratory Factural Report 09-101 Propeller Blade Fracturereport
• Pilot Toxicological Reportreport

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