Pilot Debrief

WALKER KENNETH SONEX near San Angelo, TX — 2010-10-29

Final reportCEN11LA045
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Date
2010-10-29
Location
San Angelo, TX, USA
Aircraft
WALKER KENNETH SONEX
Registration
N234KS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.

NTSB narrative

A private pilot and a student pilot were departing a private airfield when they heard a loud bang. The airplane climbed to 100 to 200 feet above ground level when it began to vibrate. The private pilot, who was operating the airplane, remarked that he did not have control of the airplane. The student pilot recalled that the airplane entered a nose-high left turn prior to ground impact. An examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. There was no evidence of a material failure to explain the loud noise prior to the accident; the source of the loud noise was not determined. An alcohol screen conducted on a sample of the private pilot's blood revealed a 0.11 percent blood alcohol level.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after hearing the loud noise.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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