Pilot Debrief

BEECH A36 near Lidderdale, IA — 2010-06-13

Final reportCEN10FA320
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Date
2010-06-13
Location
Lidderdale, IA, USA
Aircraft
BEECH A36
Registration
N6036U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to initiate the flight in marginal weather conditions and his loss of aircraft control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot contacted flight service stations on three occasions prior to the accident flight and obtained weather briefings for the visual flight rules (VFR) flight. During each of the weather briefings, the pilot was informed that VFR flight was not recommended due to instrument meteorological conditions that existed along the proposed route. Despite this information, the pilot departed for the flight. The airplane subsequently impacted a farm field about 62 nautical miles from the departure airport, about 1-1/2 hours after the pilot obtained the last weather briefing. Weather conditions recorded at an airport 4 nautical miles from the accident site included an overcast ceiling at 1,100 feet above ground level. The pilot did not have an instrument rating associated with his pilot certificate. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies with respect to the airframe, engine or airplane systems. The dimensions of the debris field, about 1,000 feet in length, and the T-shaped ground scar at the initial impact point, was indicative of the airplane impacting the ground in a wings level attitude at a high rate of speed, which was consistent with an attempted recovery from a dive.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have canceled the flight due to IFR conditions along the route.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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