Pilot Debrief

AYRES CORPORATION S-2R near Shafter, CA — 2021-11-03

Final reportWPR22FA026
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Date
2021-11-03
Location
Shafter, CA, USA
Airport
MIT
Aircraft
AYRES CORPORATION S-2R
Registration
N8960Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated commercial pilot departed from the airport and was planning to conduct a visual flight rules aerial application flight in an airplane that was not equipped for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. Shortly after departure, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The airplane impacted terrain about 1 1/4 mile from the departure airport. The wreckage field was about 800 ft in length. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. A witness who spoke with the pilot before the flight reported that the pilot said that the fog had cleared for a few moments and that he had missed his opportunity to depart the airport. About 20-30 minutes later the pilot departed the airport with a 200 ft cloud ceiling and 1/2 mile of visibility. Another witness who spoke with the pilot stated that the pilot had checked the weather. Multiple weather sources indicated low ceilings and the presence of fog, which is conductive to low IFR conditions, before and at the time of the accident for the area near the accident site. Given the weather data and witness statements, the airplane likely flew into an area of fog and low clouds during departure and just before the accident. Based on the wreckage distribution, which was consistent with a high-speed impact, and the low visibility and ceiling present at the time of the accident, it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and lost airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Spatial disorientation
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have delayed takeoff due to poor visibility and IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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