Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 320 near Lake Heron, NM — 2011-04-24

Final reportCEN11LA307
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Date
2011-04-24
Location
Lake Heron, NM, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 320
Registration
N320AZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while conducting a flight at low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was on a cross-country flight. A witness, who was on a lake, reported that he heard the sound of an airplane pass low over his head. He added that the engine sound went silent and that he saw a splash of water as the airplane impacted the lake. The airplane was not recovered from the lake; however, highly fragmented parts of the airplane were recovered. Numerous packages, reportedly illegal narcotics, surfaced from the wreckage and were seized by the authorities. At the time of the accident, rain and thunderstorms were reported in the area. The accident is consistent with controlled flight into terrain, while the pilot was operating at low altitude in reduced visibility conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flight in IMC without an instrument rating.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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