Pilot Debrief

Piper PA32R near Zavalla, TX — 2020-06-27

Final reportCEN20LA248
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Date
2020-06-27
Location
Zavalla, TX, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA32R
Registration
N315AM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s poor decision-making as he attempted to land at an unlit airstrip in night instrument conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s collision with terrain short of the runway.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot made a night flight to an unlit airstrip. Upon arrival, with a low overcast ceiling, the pilot circled the airstrip for the next 54 minutes at altitudes ranging from about 300 to 1,350 ft above ground level. During the approach attempts, the pilot descended below the cloud layer, executed a go around, and maneuvered for another approach. On the pilot’s final approach attempt, the airplane impacted a tree line prior to the runway threshold on a heading perpendicular to the runway. Examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing showed the pilot had methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC (the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis) in his system. The pilot’s methamphetamine levels did not indicate if he was experiencing drug effects, and the investigation was not able to determine if the pilot had an underlying condition being treated with amphetamine or methamphetamine. It was not determined if the pilot was under impairment from THC. According to a family member, the pilot normally flew to the unlit airstrip at night and descended in a circular pattern until he visually identified the runway. Although the pilot’s substance use had significant potential to cause impairment, the investigation determined the pilot’s aircraft handling was not deficient relative to his limited experience of flying in night instrument conditions and the prolonged period of approach attempts. The pilot’s decision to continue the night approaches during instrument conditions was consistent with a pattern of poor decision-making and risk-taking behavior.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to avoid flying at night without runway lights.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents17

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