Pilot Debrief

FECHTNER KR-2 near Tehachapi, CA — 2012-08-14

Final reportWPR12LA359
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Date
2012-08-14
Location
Tehachapi, CA, USA
Airport
TSP
Aircraft
FECHTNER KR-2
Registration
N37686
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the approach to the airport.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had recently completed extensive work on the engine, and the purpose of the flight was to build time. After departure, he maneuvered in the area of the airport for about 50 minutes and then began a descent to the airport; he later reported that this was his last memory of the flight, and he is unable to recall detailed events surrounding the timeframe of the accident. A witness reported that he observed the airplane in a descending left turn near the airport and that the engine appeared to be sputtering. The airplane continued the descent until it impacted terrain. Before the flight, the pilot affixed a video camera to the leading edge of the airplane's horizontal stabilizer. The camera was recovered from the wreckage and the captured video showed, in part, the airplane in a descent toward the airport. As the airplane approached the runway, it entered a left banked turn. The banked turn and descent increased and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a left-wing-down, nose-low attitude. The video further showed that the airplane's engine appeared to be operational during the entire flight with no anomalies noted. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the descent when engine began to sputter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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