Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor AT502 near Eagle Lake, TX — 2019-05-11

Final reportCEN19FA140
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Date
2019-05-11
Location
Eagle Lake, TX, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT502
Registration
N713LA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated commercial pilot departed from the operator's airstrip and was planning to conduct a visual flight rules (VFR) aerial application flight in an airplane that was not equipped for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight. Shortly after departure in visual meteorological conditions, the pilot contacted the operator and reported that he observed fog that was "rolling in." The pilot reported that he was flying above the fog layer. The pilot stated that he was going divert to a local airport, instead of returning to the operator's airstrip, and terminate the flight. No further communication was received from the pilot. Data obtained from two onboard units that contained airplane track data showed that, during the last several minutes of the flight, the airplane entered two spiraling turns. The second spiraling turn included a rapid descent from the airplane's altitude in the direction of the accident site. The airplane wreckage was discovered in a grass field about 7.5 miles southwest from the diversion airport. Two witnesses who were near the accident site heard the accident airplane flying overhead and reported that they did not hear any sounds associated with an airplane problem before the sound of the airplane's impact. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The investigation was unable to determine, with the available evidence, whether the pilot had received an official weather briefing or accessed weather information before the flight. Multiple weather sources indicated low ceilings and the presence of fog, which were conducive to low IFR conditions, before and at the time of the accident for the area near the accident site. The witnesses who heard the accident airplane reported a low level of fog about the time of the accident and an area of clear visibility between the ground and fog. Fog differs from clouds in that the base of fog is at the Earth's surface, while clouds are above the Earth's surface. Given the weather data, airplane track data, and witness statements, the airplane likely flew into an area of fog just before the accident for underdetermined reasons. The IMC present at the time was conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, and the airplane's flight track was consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have aborted the flight upon encountering fog conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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