Pilot Debrief

Cessna U206 near Hopedale, LA — 2019-08-18

Final reportCEN19FA271
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Date
2019-08-18
Location
Hopedale, LA, USA
Aircraft
Cessna U206
Registration
N5364Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), resulting from the pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and 2 passengers were returning from a fishing trip in the float equipped airplane. The flight path was over water. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed along the flight path and accident area. Both passengers reported that the airplane was flying low over the water beneath the clouds when it impacted the water. Only portions of the airplane wreckage were recovered, and the engine was not found. The available wreckage was examined, and no anomalies were found other than severe water impact damage. It is likely that the non-instrument rated pilot did not have a visible horizon, lost track of his altitude and descended below the clouds when the airplane impacted the water.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have delayed takeoff due to deteriorating weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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