Pilot Debrief

SOCATA RALLYE 235E near San Martin, CA — 2008-08-21

Final reportLAX08LA272
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Date
2008-08-21
Location
San Martin, CA, USA
Airport
E16
Aircraft
SOCATA RALLYE 235E
Registration
N711BZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's incapacitation due to severe unrecognized coronary artery disease that resulted in a loss of aircraft control.

NTSB narrative

A ground witness at the airport reported that the engine sounded normal, and the approach looked "rock solid," when all of a sudden the airplane veered to the right and hit a building. A pilot landing his helicopter at the time of the accident reported hearing the radio transmissions of the accident pilot. He reported that the pilot sounded normal with no distress in his voice. Several other witnesses traveling on the highway at the time reported the accident airplane making a sharp right turn and impacting a building where it burst into flames. According to the ground witness at the airport, the pilot was from the local area. While this was not the pilot's home airport, he would have been familiar with it. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the autopsy findings for the pilot showed severe unrecognized coronary artery disease, which would have put him at risk for sudden incapacitation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach when the airplane began undulating and turning sharply.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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