Pilot Debrief

STINSON 108 near Dickens, TX — 2011-03-27

Final reportCEN11FA247
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Date
2011-03-27
Location
Dickens, TX, USA
Aircraft
STINSON 108
Registration
N97383
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to fly in night instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted terrain in night instrument meteorological conditions. There were no known eyewitnesses who saw the takeoff or accident. The wreckage was located in a pasture area of rolling hills by a local resident, approximately 1.25 miles southeast of the departure airfield. Ground scars and the wreckage path led to the main wreckage, which was oriented on a heading of 100 degrees. The pilot was not instrument rated and it was not determined whether he obtained a weather briefing. Although it is uncertain whether he obtained a weather briefing, the conditions on the night of the accident were obviously instrument conditions with overcast skies at 500 feet. The non-instrument rated pilot exhibited poor decision-making when he elected to fly in those conditions. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have delayed departure due to dark night IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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