Pilot Debrief

BEECH F33A near North Salem, NY — 2015-11-19

Final reportERA16FA044
Sign in to save
Date
2015-11-19
Location
North Salem, NY, USA
Airport
DXR
Aircraft
BEECH F33A
Registration
N9318Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB narrative

At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the instrument-rated pilot was cleared for an instrument approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions. About 2 minutes later, the airplane entered a right descending turn away from the airport. The controller attempted to contact the pilot but received no response. The airplane impacted a reservoir about 8 miles from the airport. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. On his most recent application for a medical certificate about 6 months before the accident, the pilot reported a total of 1,940 hours of flight experience, but his logbooks were not recovered, so his recent flight experience and instrument currency could not be determined. The pilot's toxicology results were negative, and the autopsy was inconclusive, so it is unknown if the pilot experienced a medical condition that could have contributed to the loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot continued approach despite knowing IMC conditions at the airport.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

Related mishaps