Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-22-108 near Frazier Park, CA — 2011-07-08

Final reportWPR11LA318
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Date
2011-07-08
Location
Frazier Park, CA, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-22-108
Registration
N4901Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing in soft terrain and a subsequent nose over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the flight, he was following an interstate highway and that he then turned west to intercept a state highway and head toward his destination. He was flying about 1,000 feet above mountainous terrain when he became lost and disoriented while trying to navigate using maps and GPS. He then thought that the airplane was losing altitude. Subsequently, he concentrated on the terrain rather than direction, decided to make an off-airport landing, and landed the airplane in a dry river bottom. During the landing roll, the nosewheel dug into soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident engine and airframe examinations revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have leaned the mixture or used carburetor heat to maintain engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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