Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R near Medicine Lake, MT — 2014-05-21

Final reportWPR14LA198
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Date
2014-05-21
Location
Medicine Lake, MT, USA
Airport
PWD
Aircraft
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R
Registration
N702CB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and sufficient altitude to clear terrain during a low-altitude maneuver.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane into a left banking turn after an aerial application. He added that, the next thing that he could remember, was that he could not arrest the airplane's descent and that it was heading toward the ground. The pilot tried to correct the airplane's attitude by pulling up, but the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Wreckage examination revealed that the left wing contacted the ground first. Engine examination and component testing did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain airplane control and sufficient altitude to clear terrain during the turn.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the left banking turn that led to loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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