Pilot Debrief

BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2A near Beaver Island, MI — 2021-11-13

Final reportCEN22FA031
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Date
2021-11-13
Location
Beaver Island, MI, USA
Airport
6Y8
Aircraft
BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2A
Registration
N866JA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
4
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.

NTSB narrative

A pilot-rated witness observed the airplane during the final approach to the destination airport and stated that the airplane was flying slowly, with a high pitch attitude, and was “wallowing” as if nobody was flying. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground about 300 ft from the runway. GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data captured the accident flight, but the ADS-B data ended about 0.24 miles before the accident. GPS data showed that the airplane’s speed was at or near the published stall speed for the airplane’s given loading condition. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the airplane verified flight and engine control continuity. No preimpact anomalies were found with respect to the airplane, engines, or systems. The pilot allowed the airspeed to decrease during the approach, increased pitch attitude, and exceeded critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin into terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have added power and lowered the nose to prevent stall.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents17

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