Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150M near Bainbridge Island, WA — 2018-05-28

Final reportWPR18LA151
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Date
2018-05-28
Location
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150M
Registration
N6AF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his distraction by using the tablet for navigation, which resulted in his failure to detect that the airplane had entered a descent.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and passenger departed on a pleasure flight over the water; radar data showed that the airplane was at an altitude about 700 ft mean sea level. The passenger stated that she was concerned about how low the airplane was flying, but the pilot reassured her that they were fine and able to fly safely 200 ft above the water. The pilot then looked down at his tablet, which he was using for navigation, and the passenger saw him push the flight control yoke forward. The airplane descended and subsequently impacted the water and nosed over. The passenger was able to egress on her own as the airplane began to sink; however, the pilot appeared unconscious and did not exit the airplane. Neither the wreckage nor the pilot's remains were recovered. Although the wreckage could not be examined, the passenger reported no mechanical problems with the airplane before the impact. It is likely that, as the pilot was looking down at his tablet, he inadvertently pushed the control yoke forward, causing the airplane to descend into the water. Because of his distraction in using his tablet to navigate, he failed to detect the descent.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have heeded passenger's concern about altitude before impact.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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