Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A188 near Pineview, GA — 2021-04-13

Final reportERA21FA184
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Date
2021-04-13
Location
Pineview, GA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA A188
Registration
N4912Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in collision with powerlines during an aerial application flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had been performing aerial application over the local area for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and had two more residences to spray before returning to the departure airport. Witnesses and GPS data revealed that the airplane was travelling northeast, about 50 ft above ground level, when it collided with powerlines. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The powerlines were depicted on the area sectional aeronautical chart, and solar calculations revealed that sun glare was not a factor because the sun was approximately 23° above the horizon and 50° to the right of the airplane’s track at the time of the accident. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while operating at low altitude during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with powerlines.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided powerlines by altering flight path during spraying.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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