Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28 near Antioch, CA — 2019-06-10

Final reportWPR19FA163
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Date
2019-06-10
Location
Antioch, CA, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA28
Registration
N7943C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.

NTSB narrative

The newly certificated private pilot rented the airplane to continue building flight experience in preparation for future flight training. Radar data showed that the airplane departed normally and proceeded to an area that the pilot had used as a practice area during his flight training. The airplane began to maneuver within this area, climbing to a maximum altitude of 5,300 ft mean sea level before it descended over a river and below radar coverage. Two witnesses in the area of the accident site saw the airplane “performing tricks,” during which it descended toward the surface of the water and pulled up abruptly. The airplane then entered a nose-low descent that continued until impact with the water. Both witnesses reported that the airplane impacted the river in a nose-low attitude at high speed. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at high speed and low altitude.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided performing tricks near the water.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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