Pilot Debrief

WICKS AIR CENTER LLC HORNET near Bonham, TX — 2009-11-07

Final reportCEN10LA041
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Date
2009-11-07
Location
Bonham, TX, USA
Airport
F00
Aircraft
WICKS AIR CENTER LLC HORNET
Registration
N651WA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument rated pilot departed the airport and was observed flying less than 100 feet above ground level. The airplane then made a left turn back toward the airport and continued into fog or a low cloud layer. It subsequently spiraled nose-down into the ground and there was an immediate postimpact fire followed by an explosion. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather in the area at the time of the accident was reported by witnesses as low clouds and poor visibility in fog. Federal Aviation Administration guidance indicates that spatial disorientation can occur when there is no natural horizon or surface reference, such as a night flight in sparsely populated areas similar to that of the accident area and conditions. Based on the wreckage and the visual reference conditions present at the time of the accident it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight upon encountering low visibility conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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