Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35B near Las Vegas, NM — 2012-05-11

Final reportCEN12FA291
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Date
2012-05-11
Location
Las Vegas, NM, USA
Aircraft
BEECH V35B
Registration
N645EP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot departed at night in his single-engine airplane from a remote airport and subsequently impacted terrain southeast of the airport. The airplane wreckage was dispersed over a large area and was heavily fragmented, consistent with a high-speed impact. Examination of the airplane and engine found no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's logbook was found in the wreckage and was partially completed between 2005 and 2009. There were no logged entries of any night flight time, and the pilot’s most recent simulated instrument training was logged in 2005. The pilot's flight time/experience since 2009 is unknown except for a biennial flight review that was completed in 2011.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to take off at night without proper visual references.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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