Pilot Debrief

BEECH 35C33 near Tolar, TX — 2010-07-14

Final reportCEN10FA392
Sign in to save
Date
2010-07-14
Location
Tolar, TX, USA
Aircraft
BEECH 35C33
Registration
N5827S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at night over a rural area, due to spatial disorientation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and the two passengers departed on a cross country flight on a dark, moonless night over a rural area. Approximately 10 minutes after they departed, the airplane was observed in a descending spiral over a hay field. The last 50 seconds of recorded GPS data and the witness's description of the maneuvers before the crash, were consistent with the pilot experiencing a vestibular illusion, which resulted in a spiral from which he was unable to recover. Although toxicology testing detected very low levels of a marijuana metabolite in the blood, it was consistent only with use of the substance in the days or weeks preceding the accident, and not suggestive of impairment at the time of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical deficiencies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Spatial disorientation
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the left turn and maintained altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents14

Related mishaps