Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 337 near Melbourne, FL — 2015-05-27

Final reportERA15LA224
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Date
2015-05-27
Location
Melbourne, FL, USA
Airport
MLB
Aircraft
CESSNA 337
Registration
N1732M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while taxiing as a result of his impairment due to alcohol ingestion.

NTSB narrative

While taxiing, the private pilot did not follow the controller's instructions and his speech was slurred. The airplane then taxied off the end of a taxiway and turned right toward a building that was located about 200 ft away and abeam the taxiway end. The airplane impacted the building and an adjacent communications antenna, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Law enforcement personnel arrived about 15 minutes later and detected an odor of alcohol from the pilot. A search of the airplane revealed an unopened bottle of wine, one half-full bottle of liquor, and an open water bottle that contained a clear liquid with an odor of alcohol. The pilot refused to take an alcohol breathalyzer and field sobriety test. He was subsequently taken into custody and charged under a state statute for operation of an aircraft while intoxicated. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have adhered to controller's instructions to return to the ramp.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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