Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL90FA070

DEMOREST, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N7233R

BEECH 58

Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF INTO INSTRUMENT METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AFTER CLIMBING TO 6,000 FT, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO CONTINUE HIS CLIMB TO 7,000 FT AND TURN RIGHT TO 180 DEG. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE TURNED LEFT TO 220 DEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 6,9OO FT. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE APPEAR OUT OF THE CLOUD BASE IN A HIGH SPEED DIVE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 5 MI N OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. PILOT HAD EARLIER ATTEMPTED BFR ON 2/7; CFI DID NOT FEEL PILOT WAS COMPETENT, AND PILOT RESCHEDULED FOR 2/14. AFTER FLIGHT OF 2/14 CFI INFORMED PILOT THAT INSTRUMENT FLYING WAS POOR, AND WAS RESCHEDULED FOR 3/28. PILOT CAUTIONED NOT TO FLY IN IMC UNTIL BFR COMPLETED. CFI STATED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED A DETERIORATION OF THE PILOT'S SKILLS OVER THE YEARS.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE, LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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