Pilot Debrief

Cessna 310 near De Queen, AR — 2019-08-04

Final reportCEN19FA248
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Date
2019-08-04
Location
De Queen, AR, USA
Airport
DEQ
Aircraft
Cessna 310
Registration
N310QA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilots departed on a local flight in the multiengine airplane in visual meteorological conditions. Radar and GPS data showed the airplane maneuvering around the area of the departure airport at an altitude about 2,000 to 1,800 ft above ground level before it turned toward the airport and entered a descent that continued until ground contact. During the descent, the airplane’s speed slowed below its published stall speed. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. A review of weather information found an area of cumuliform clouds and dissipating precipitation near the accident site. Although no AIRMETs or SIGMET advisories were valid for the area around the time of the accident, scattered thunderstorm activity was forecast for the area of the accident site around the accident time. During the dissipating stage, rain showers and thunderstorms are dominated by downdrafts and outflow boundaries. Although nearby surface observations did not record any gusty wind around the accident time, it is possible that the airplane encountered an area of localized outflow or turbulence that may have contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilots did not receive a formal weather briefing before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents16

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