Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182P near Carrollton, GA — 2009-03-08

Final reportERA09FA185
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Date
2009-03-08
Location
Carrollton, GA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182P
Registration
N1913M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated pilot and two passengers departed under visual meteorological conditions and encountered instrument meteorological conditions while en route to their destination. A witness near the accident site stated she heard a "whining high speed sound" followed by a "thud." She noticed water splashing up from a lake, into the air, which was followed by silence. The airplane crashed into a private lake, and was located at a depth of approximately 16 feet and heavily fragmented, consistent with a high speed impact. Subsequent examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to the flight. A witness near the accident site described the weather conditions at the time of the accident as "low cloud cover" with fog drifting across the surface of the lake, and "misty overcast." Another witness stated that conditions were "very foggy." The pilot had accumulated about 168 hours of total flight experience, which included about 70 hours as pilot-in-command, and 3.2 hours logged as "simulated instrument," and 0 hours logged in "actual instrument" meteorological conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have canceled the flight due to poor weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents14

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