Pilot Debrief

Cessna 182 near Metaline, WA — 2019-11-11

Final reportWPR20LA028
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Date
2019-11-11
Location
Metaline, WA, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Registration
N8749T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

Impact with a lake for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight and did not return as planned. Local authorities discovered the pilot’s body five days later, near the shore of a lake about 28 nautical miles northeast of the departure airport. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the wreckage was not recovered. There was no radar information that could be definitively correlated with the accident airplane. Review of weather information for the day of the accident was consistent with VFR conditions in the area of the accident site, and model sounding data suggested no low clouds or restrictions to visibility. Autopsy and toxicology of the pilot did not reveal evidence of physiological impairment or incapacitation. The circumstances of the accident could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to delay flight due to potential weather concerns.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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