Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA46-500TP near San Antonio, TX — 2008-01-18

Final reportDFW08FA057
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Date
2008-01-18
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
Airport
SAT
Aircraft
PIPER PA46-500TP
Registration
N169CA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to execute an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to recent use of over-the-counter medication.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to recent use of over-the-counter medication.

NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted to intercept an instrument landing system localizer three times without success. The pilot told Air Traffic Approach Control that he was having trouble performing a "coupled" approach and that he was trying to "get control" of the airplane. The airplane disappeared from radar, subsequently impacting a field and then a barn. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and a postcrash fire ensued. A review of radar and voice data for the flight revealed that during the three approach attempts the pilot was able to turn to headings and climb to altitudes when assigned by air traffic control. Postmortem toxicology results were consistent with the regular use of a prescription antidepressant, and the recent use of a larger-than-maximal dose of an over-the-counter antihistamine known to cause impairment. There were no preimpact anomalies observed during the airframe and engine examinations that would have prevented normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach after initial failures to intercept ILS.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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