Pilot Debrief

NEW GLASAIR GLASTAR near Waukesha, WI — 2021-10-12

Final reportCEN22FA013
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Date
2021-10-12
Location
Waukesha, WI, USA
Aircraft
NEW GLASAIR GLASTAR
Registration
N628RS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart and continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.

NTSB narrative

The noninstrument-rated pilot departed under special visual flight rules into prevailing instrument meteorological conditions. About 2 hours before the flight, the pilot received a weather briefing that included an AIRMET for instrument flight rules conditions due to precipitation and mist. Although the departure airport was reporting cloud ceilings at 900 ft above ground level (agl) about the time of departure, nearby airports were reporting ceilings at 400 ft agl and visibilities of 3 miles in mist. The pilot departed and maintained an altitude of about 1,200 ft mean sea level (msl), which was about 300-400 ft agl. The departure controller in communication with the pilot noted that the airplane had started to climb and asked if there was a gap in the cloud ceiling and whether he was attempting to climb above the clouds. The pilot responded in the affirmative. The airplane climbed to about 2,600 ft msl before it entered a left spiraling descent and subsequently impacted a residential area. Variations in track data during the flight were inconsistent with the pilot using the airplane’s autopilot. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reduced visibility and low cloud conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, and the airplane’s spiraling descent is consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation. It is likely that the pilot entered instrument meteorological conditions while attempting to climb above the clouds, experienced spatial disorientation, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to climb into IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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