Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-23-250 near Bullard, TX — 2012-09-12

Final reportCEN12FA628
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Date
2012-09-12
Location
Bullard, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-23-250
Registration
N4842P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The pilot's maneuver, which exceeded the airplane's structural limit and resulted in an in-flight breakup.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was en route to its destination when it was observed to make several turns before it pitched nose up, climbed, rolled to the right, and then headed toward the ground nose first. Several witnesses observed airplane components floating down after the airplane. All witnesses reported hearing loud engine noises throughout the event. Impact signatures were consistent with a nose down attitude with a near vertical descent angle. Distribution of the airplane wreckage supported the observation by eyewitnesses of an inflight breakup. An examination found that both wings failed in overload with positive wing loading. In addition, there was no evidence of flight control over travel or flutter. It could not be determined whether the pilot intended to perform the abnormal maneuver or if it was the result of a physiological issue.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided maneuvers leading to loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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