Pilot Debrief

Hawker-Beechcraft Corporation A36 near Oklahoma City, OK — 2010-11-18

Final reportCEN11FA075
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Date
2010-11-18
Location
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Aircraft
Hawker-Beechcraft Corporation A36
Registration
N314DP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane during night instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot flew the night cross-country flight under instrument flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). As the pilot approached his destination airport, he reported to the air traffic controller that he had problems with his landing gear indicator. The controller told the pilot to maintain 3,000 feet and turn to a heading of 360 degrees. The pilot acknowledged the instructions; there were no further communications between the controller and pilot. Radar data showed that, as the airplane approached the airport, it was headed generally north-northeast at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,300 feet. The last radar return showed the airplane at 2,600 feet, heading north. Several witnesses reported that they saw the airplane’s red lights appear from the clouds and descend rapidly before the airplane impacted the ground. The wreckage showed damage indicative of a vertical or near-vertical impact. A postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the airplane found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Postmortem toxicology testing for the pilot indicated positive results for Butalbital, a prescription barbiturate; Citalopram, a prescription antidepressant; Cyclobenzaprine, a prescription muscle relaxant; and Tramadol, which is used for moderate to severe pain. Although such medications can have sedating and/or impairing effects, it was not possible to determine to what extent, if any, the pilot may have been impaired. Both night IMC and the pilot's diverted attention to troubleshooting the landing gear indicator or working the alternate landing gear extension can increase the risk of spatial disorientation, and the airplane’s rapid, near-vertical descent is consistent with pilot spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach due to gear indicator problem.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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