Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182T near Georgia Pass, CO — 2008-08-15

Final reportDEN08FA141
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Date
2008-08-15
Location
Georgia Pass, CO, USA
Airport
SBS
Aircraft
CESSNA 182T
Registration
N487TC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
4

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after inadvertantly encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to obtain a weather brief and the severe weather conditions.

NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated pilot was traveling cross-country with three passengers after a family vacation. The airplane was instrument-flight-rules equipped and the pilot was familiar with the airplane. There was no evidence the pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to departure and he did not file a flight plan. An analysis conducted by an NTSB meteorology specialist determined that, at the time of departure, weather was marginal visual meteorological conditions with an overcast layer above and scattered clouds at and below the flown flight level. Weather near the accident site deteriorated rapidly after departure and the pilot likely encountered a level 2 thunderstorm, lost control of the airplane and impacted terrain, destroying the airplane. Postaccident inspection of the airplane did not disclose evidence of any preimpact anomaly of the engine or airplane systems.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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