Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Hawley, MN — 2013-03-29

Final reportCEN13FA214
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Date
2013-03-29
Location
Hawley, MN, USA
Airport
JKJ
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N5367B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to conduct a flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The noninstrument-rated private pilot departed on a personal flight without a flight plan. According to a designated pilot examiner, the pilot obtained weather information on a computer before the flight. Weather reports indicated that instrument meteorological conditions prevailed before and during the flight at the destination airport. According to the pilot's mother, she talked to him during the flight, told him that fog existed in the area, and asked him to land in another area; the pilot continued the flight without diverting. Search and rescue operations were conducted about 4 hours later when the pilot's mother contacted local authorities due to concern that he had not arrived. The airplane wreckage was located about 15 miles east of the destination airport and exhibited a high-speed, right-wing-low impact with terrain, indicative of a loss of control. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot continued flight despite fog and poor weather conditions reported.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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