Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 310R near McComb, MS — 2011-04-10

Final reportERA11FA232
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Date
2011-04-10
Location
McComb, MS, USA
Airport
MCB
Aircraft
CESSNA 310R
Registration
N100TK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's impairment due to alcohol ingestion and his failure to maintain airplane control during an approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated pilot and two passengers arrived at the departure airport about 0320 after going to a bar. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing or file an instrument flight rules flight plan; night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport. The airplane departed uneventfully at 0408. At 0423, the pilot reported to air traffic control that he had the destination airport in sight and elected to cancel flight following services. At that time, the destination airport was 24 miles away and under two broken cloud ceilings and an overcast ceiling; thus, the pilot most likely did not have the destination airport in sight. The airplane subsequently overflew the destination airport and initiated a left turn. The last radar target was recorded at 0432, at an altitude of 2,600 feet mean sea level, which was above the two broken cloud ceilings and slightly below the overcast ceiling. Examination of the wreckage and data recovered from an onboard engine analyzer did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Toxicological testing revealed that the pilot was impaired due to alcohol ingestion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for an alternate airport or maintained VFR conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 18 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents18

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