Pilot Debrief

CAMERON LANCAIR LEGACY near Pioneer, CA — 2011-05-18

Final reportWPR11FA230
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Date
2011-05-18
Location
Pioneer, CA, USA
Airport
TCY
Aircraft
CAMERON LANCAIR LEGACY
Registration
N121J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions at an insufficient altitude to clear terrain.

NTSB narrative

During the personal flight, the airplane impacted mountainous terrain. The witness marks and debris field were consistent with an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Weather information available for the time of the accident showed suspended precipitation and/or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) near the accident site and the potential for icing in the accident area. The airplane's altitude could not be identified on radar; therefore, it could not be determined whether the airplane was flying in frozen, liquid, or a mixed-phase of precipitation at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane likely impacted terrain due to the pilot's decision to continue flight into IMC at an insufficient altitude to clear terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not obtain a weather brief before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

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