CESSNA 182Q near Houma, LA — 2009-09-24
- Date
- 2009-09-24
- Location
- Houma, LA, USA
- Airport
- HUM
- Aircraft
- CESSNA 182Q
- Registration
- N96894
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff roll
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions.
NTSB narrative
The non-instrument rated commercial pilot requested and received a Special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance to take off. Weather was below VFR minimums with a reported ceiling of 300 feet and seven miles visibility, and witnesses reported fog in the area. The pilot’s last radio transmission occurred at 0605 and the wreckage was located one mile south of the runway at 1225. No evidence of an airplane malfunction was found during postaccident wreckage examination and airplane wreckage and impact scars were indicative of a loss of airplane control prior to impact. The airplane was not equipped to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot's lack of instrument flight certification combined with the poor weather conditions were conducive to spatial disorientation. Toxicology results were positive for ethanol. Postaccident conditions were conducive to post-mortem ethanol production in the pilot.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- VFR into IMC
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot should have obtained a weather briefing before departure.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- ATC audio
- 6 docket documents
Docket documents6
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigationinterview
- Witness Statementinterview
- Transcript of Radio Communicationstranscript
- Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagramswreckage
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