Dufault Mark V Pitts S-1D near Ridgely, MD — 2008-09-09
- Date
- 2008-09-09
- Location
- Ridgely, MD, USA
- Airport
- RJD
- Aircraft
- Dufault Mark V Pitts S-1D
- Registration
- N511MD
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Phase of flight
- Approach
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation which resulted in an attempted landing in fog and subsequent impact with terrain.
NTSB narrative
During an attempted landing in fog at an uncontrolled airport, when the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot did not hold a valid Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate and did not possess an instrument rating. The airplane was unregistered, and was not equipped for flight in instrument conditions. The pilot had departed the airport sometime after 1800 eastern daylight time on the day of the accident, and returned to the airport approximately one hour later just prior to sunset. Preceding the departure a small temperature dew point spread existed, and the wind velocity had decreased until the wind was calm. During the accident flight, the temperature and dew point spread converged, which resulted in the formation of fog. No record of the pilot having received a weather briefing prior to the flight was discovered.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- VFR into IMC
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have chosen not to fly in deteriorating visibility conditions.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- 4 docket documents
Docket documents4
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