Pilot Debrief

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22 near Tybee Island, GA — 2022-05-06

Final reportERA22LA220
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Date
2022-05-06
Location
Tybee Island, GA, USA
Aircraft
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Registration
N24LA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of airplane control due to pilot incapacitation, which resulted in an overflight of his destination and subsequent descent into water.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was issued instrument approach instructions from air traffic control (ATC) and instructed to report over a waypoint. The pilot did not report over the waypoint and did not respond to any subsequent ATC communications. At the request of ATC, pilots of another airplane tried to get the accident pilot’s attention but were unsuccessful. They continued alongside and watched as the airplane descended into the ocean. The pilot had a history of heart palpitations and had a loop recorder heart monitor implanted in his left upper chest. The download of the device revealed a period of tachycardia during the time the pilot was not responding to ATC. It is likely that this cardiac event caused the pilot to be incapacitated. Examination revealed there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not report passing the waypoint, leading to loss of situational awareness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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