Pilot Debrief

BEECH E18S near Jones Creek, TX — 2009-10-03

Final reportCEN10TA006
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Date
2009-10-03
Location
Jones Creek, TX, USA
Aircraft
BEECH E18S
Registration
N797SB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the radio tower.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was spraying a marshy area for mosquitoes. After making a spray pass, he made a right 180-degree turn to an easterly heading and the right wing struck a radio tower. The pilot didn't know the extent of the damage and there appeared to be a "controllability issue." He elected to land in a pasture. During the landing, the airplane struck and killed a cow and a bull, then collided with a pile of wood, resulting in substantial damage. The unlit 100-foot radio tower was within the walls of a correctional facility, was used for ground communications, and has been there for several years. It was not marked on sectional charts.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the radio tower during the right turn.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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