Pilot Debrief

Beech V35 near Blythe, CA — 2019-11-26

Final reportANC20FA005
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Date
2019-11-26
Location
Blythe, CA, USA
Aircraft
Beech V35
Registration
N14UC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of control in flight due to the pilot’s decision to fly into a mountain range, at night, in conditions conducive to high wind, mountain waves, and turbulence.

NTSB narrative

The solo private pilot was performing a personal visual flight rules cross-country flight at night in mountainous terrain. The flight entered the mountain range on a westerly course then diverted to the east due to encountering inclement weather. The air traffic controller handling the flight lost the airplane on radar and the pilot on radio communications. Several witnesses driving nearby reported that the airplane was flying close to the road at a steep angle before it impacted terrain and a postcrash fire ensued. Two witnesses added that it was dark night conditions, one reported high wind conditions, and another reported poor visibility during the time of the accident. A meteorological study of weather conditions about the time of the accident indicated the potential for reduced visibility conditions, moderate to severe turbulence, and moderate to severe mountain wave conditions. A review of weather provider data revealed that the accident pilot had not received a weather briefing before the accident flight. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the accident airplane when the flight encountered reduced visibility, high wind, turbulence, and mountain wave conditions while flying in dark night conditions in mountainous terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not obtain a weather briefing before the flight despite severe turbulence warnings.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents20

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