Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 11 near Aniak, AK — 2016-12-16

Final reportANC17FA012
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Date
2016-12-16
Location
Aniak, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 11
Registration
N5028H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2

Probable cause

The pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and a passenger departed on a flight to an airstrip about 40 nautical miles away. When they failed to return as scheduled, family members notified law enforcement, and the wreckage was subsequently located in an area of snow-covered, rising terrain. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Following a death investigation, the State Medical Examiner classified the manner of death as a suicide.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot's decision to continue flight despite potential risks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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