Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35 near Slidell, LA — 2020-10-21

Final reportCEN21FA025
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Date
2020-10-21
Location
Slidell, LA, USA
Airport
ASD
Aircraft
BEECH V35
Registration
N35DC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control shortly after departure for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight instructor had just completed a one-hour uneventful local flight to test the recently-repaired autopilot. The pilot landed the airplane, dropped off the instructor at the terminal, and then taxied away. Minutes later the airplane departed to the north, reached about 200 ft above the ground, and entered a left turn. The airplane subsequently descended into trees and terrain and a postimpact fire consumed most of the airplane. There were no witnesses to the accident, and about 4 hours after the accident smoke from the wreckage was reported by another pilot. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; the accident site was consistent with a steep, nose-low descent with the engine producing power. The medical investigation in this case revealed that the pilot had a history of significant coronary artery disease with stents and had used a sedating medication (cetirizine) at some time before the flight; however, whether the pilot’s heart condition or use of sedating medication contributed to the accident could not be determined based on the available information. The evidence at the accident site and the lack of mechanical anomalies are consistent with a loss of control during takeoff; however, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted not to fly due to medical history and lack of recent experience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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