Pilot Debrief

CHAMPION 7KCAB near Oak Ridge, LA — 2013-07-18

Final reportCEN13FA420
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Date
2013-07-18
Location
Oak Ridge, LA, USA
Aircraft
CHAMPION 7KCAB
Registration
N2978G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The private pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing agricultural operations turns low to the ground, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the private pilot’s impairment due to his recent use of marijuana and hydroxychloroquine.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the private pilot's impairment due to his recent use of marijuana and hydroxychloroquine.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and instructor were practicing aerial spraying passes and turns associated with agricultural (ag) operations when the airplane stalled and collided with trees and terrain. Data downloaded from the onboard GPS revealed that after departure, the airplane flew direct to an intended practice area and conducted nine aerial spray passes. Each pass ended in an "ag turn" in the opposite direction. After the ninth pass, the airplane began the "ag turn" and entered a climbing left turn. The airplane then entered a climbing right turn to an altitude of 208 feet above ground level and slowed to a ground speed of 65 mph before the data ended at the location of where the airplane came to rest. The airplane impacted terrain in a steep, nose-down attitude consistent with a stall/spin. The private pilot had recently completed his instrument training with the instructor and had just started the Agricultural Aviation Basic Operations course with the flight school. The instructor was not an agricultural pilot and had no experience with aerial applications. As such, he was only authorized to provide tailwheel instruction in the airplane and ground school instruction on how to use a GPS when spraying and how to do an ag turn. It was unknown why the instructor and private pilot were practicing ag turns and spray passes in the airplane. Examination of the airplane found no preaccident mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident toxicology testing indicated that the private pilot recently used marijuana and hydroxychloroquine, both of which would have been impairing at the levels found. Although the instructor also tested positive for several medications, it could not be determined if they contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Instructor should not have conducted flight training for agricultural operations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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