Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172M near Open water, HI — 2016-12-31

Final reportWPR17FAMS2
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Date
2016-12-31
Location
Open water, HI, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172M
Registration
N174LL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

Undetermined because the airplane was not located.

NTSB narrative

According to a representative from the airplane rental facility, the noninstrument-rated pilot had departed on a cross-country flight. The pilot had received multiple weather reports from Lockheed Martin Flight Services, during which the weather briefer indicated that mountain obscuration and low ceilings existed along the flight route. Flightpath data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that, shortly after departure, the airplane flew to the northwest, directly into the area that was showing adverse weather conditions. Sometime later, radar data showed that the airplane began a descending right turn from about 2,525 ft mean sea level. The track ended less than 1 minute later over open water about 7 miles northwest of the departure airport. An alert notice was issued after an FAA air traffic control facility lost radar contact with the airplane. A search and rescue effort was initiated; however, the airplane and occupants were not found.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to depart given adverse weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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