Pilot Debrief

BEECH A36 near Plainview, TX — 2015-05-30

Final reportCEN15FA245
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Date
2015-05-30
Location
Plainview, TX, USA
Airport
PVW
Aircraft
BEECH A36
Registration
N221D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to take off ahead of an approaching severe thunderstorm, which resulted in an encounter with hazardous weather conditions that led to a loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

Before attempting to take off, the commercial pilot received weather information indicating that a severe thunderstorm was approaching the airport. Further, two witnesses reported seeing the storm approaching. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane take off, make a left turn, and then head straight down. GPS data indicated that, after the airplane took off, it banked left, reached about 80 ft above ground level, and then descended and impacted terrain. One of the witnesses stated that they could not believe anybody would take off in the approaching storm. Another witness reported that she was "watching the storm clouds" and heard an engine at "full throttle" and then looked over and saw the airplane "traveling very fast" toward the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident review of weather information established that a gust front associated with a squall line of an approaching severe thunderstorm was over the airport at the time of the accident. This weather situation was likely producing a combination of the following weather phenomenon near the accident site at the time of the accident; strong gusting winds, turbulence, low-level wind shear, reduced visibility due to blowing dust, heavy rain, hail, and lightning. The flight encountered these hazardous conditions during initial climb, which likely made the airplane difficult for the pilot to control and resulted in his loss of airplane control shortly after takeoff. Given the pilot had the current weather information and should have been able to see the approaching storm, he should not have taken off in such conditions. The pilot's decision to take off with such hazardous weather conditions present resulted in the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to approaching storm conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents14

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BEECH A36 near Plainview, TX — 2015-05-30 · Pilot Debrief