Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32R-300 near Tulsa, OK — 2009-09-05

Final reportCEN09FA562
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Date
2009-09-05
Location
Tulsa, OK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32R-300
Registration
N1228H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
5
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and an in-flight collision with a radio tower guy wire.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated private pilot obtained a standard weather briefing for a cross-country flight and was advised that a visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. The ceiling was 600 feet overcast with 4 miles visibility. Approximately 4 hours later, the pilot radioed ground control for taxi and a VFR clearance. The controller informed the pilot that the airport was in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. The pilot then requested and received an IFR clearance. The pilot departed and had to be reminded by the local and departure controllers to make several course and altitude changes. The pilot acknowledged the changes but took no action. The pilot was also warned of antennas near his position. Review of radar data revealed the pilot's altitude varied from 1,100 feet mean sea level (msl) to 1,600 feet (msl). The last radar target was at 1,200 feet msl in a left descending turn although the pilot had been instructed to climb to 4,000 feet 2 minutes before the accident. During periods of low visibility, a pilot is particularly vulnerable to spatial disorientation. Further, the pilot's descending turn when he was supposed to be climbing is indicative of spatial disorientation. The airplane then collided with a guy wire on a 600-foot radio transmission tower at a terrain elevation of 860 feet msl. Postaccident examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories revealed no anomalies. The altimeter, transponder, and transponder automatic altitude reporting system test was current. The gyroscopic instruments were destroyed and could not be examined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have aborted takeoff due to IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents32

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