Pilot Debrief

SOCATA TB-20 near Happy Camp, CA — 2010-05-22

Final reportWPR10LA259
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Date
2010-05-22
Location
Happy Camp, CA, USA
Airport
36S
Aircraft
SOCATA TB-20
Registration
N3041Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to continue to operate under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with an embedded thunderstorm and rain showers and moderate to severe turbulence, which ultimately resulted in the loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated pilot advised an air traffic controller that he was having trouble descending through clouds. At that point, the controller lost radio and radar contact with the pilot and airplane, respectively. Shortly thereafter, emergency services began receiving telephone calls regarding a possible airplane crash. A law enforcement helicopter could not respond due to the foggy and rainy weather conditions. The wreckage was located later that evening in a forested area. Satellite imagery around the accident time showed the development of an area of convection immediately over the accident site consistent with low topped thunderstorms, which were embedded within a low cloud cover. The accident airplane encountered instrument meteorological conditions when it was lost from radar contact. The flight likely also encountered heavy rain and moderate to severe turbulence associated with the embedded thunderstorms.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided entering clouds and IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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