Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near Mulberry, TN — 2015-05-03

Final reportERA15FA204
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Date
2015-05-03
Location
Mulberry, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N6579M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to recover from a controlled descent for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident investigation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed for a short pleasure flight in day visual flying conditions. According to GPS data, after takeoff, the airplane headed west toward an area of open farmland. About 20 minutes into the flight, the airplane was still on a westerly heading about 700 ft above the ground when it entered a controlled descent from which it never recovered. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the airplane wreckage was located the following morning. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation. No medical issues were identified with the pilot that may have contributed to the accident. Based on the evidence obtained in the investigation, it could not be determined why the airplane entered a controlled descent or why the pilot was unable to recover before impacting terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to maintain altitude instead of descending.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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