Pilot Debrief

Cessna 182 near Redding, CA — 2018-11-16

Final reportWPR19FA025
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Date
2018-11-16
Location
Redding, CA, USA
Airport
RDD
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Registration
N2629R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control after takeoff in dark night instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

Before departing on the night instrument flight rules (IFR) flight, the pilot asked another pilot at the airport about the published IFR departure procedure he intended to use after takeoff. The pilot and passenger subsequently departed on the filed flight plan. Radar data depicted that the accident airplane started to drift to the left of the runway while still flying over it. The left drift continued beyond the departure end of runway 34. About 0.43 mile north of the airport, the airplane began a right turn and started to descend from 500 ft above ground level (agl). The last radar target was located near the accident site, at an altitude of 100 ft agl. A video obtained from a security camera, located about 1 mile southwest of the accident site, captured the accident airplane in a descending right turn until the view of the airplane was lost behind a tree line. A review of the pilot's flight records revealed that he held an instrument rating and had logged 3.6 hours in the last 6 months. However, there was no record of the pilot obtaining an instrument proficiency check within the 12 months before the accident. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. It is likely that the pilot experienced some level of spatial disorientation as the airplane turned during takeoff in the dark night conditions with smoke and haze, which led to a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Spatial disorientation
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have adhered to the KENDL3 departure right turn after takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • FDR / data
  • ADS-B / radar
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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