Pilot Debrief

SOCATA TB20 near Pavo, GA — 2009-08-27

Final reportERA09FA487
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Date
2009-08-27
Location
Pavo, GA, USA
Aircraft
SOCATA TB20
Registration
N654GT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with embedded intense thunderstorms, heavy rain, and severe to extreme turbulence, resulting in an in-flight separation of the left wing due to overstress.

NTSB narrative

The pilot left the departure airport on a visual flight rules flight. He did not file a flight plan. While over the accident site, the pilot entered into instrument meteorological conditions, with multiple layers of clouds, rain, and mist. Weather reporting locations near the accident site reported instrument flight rules conditions with thunderstorms and rain, ceiling overcast at 500 to 600 feet above ground level. The National Weather Service area forecast expected widely scattered to numerous rain showers and thunderstorms over the region at the time of the accident. Examination of the crash site indicated that the left wing separated from the airplane in an upward direction while in flight. Fractures in the wing spar were consistent with overstress separation. Examination of the aircraft and engine showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction prior to separation of the left wing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have turned back to Montgomery before entering IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents21

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