Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN90FA033

CASTLE ROCK, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N477T

BEECH B35-A33

Analysis

A VFR FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED BUT, WHILE ENROUTE TO DENVER IT WAS CHANGED TO AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED TO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED A CLEARANCE FOR AN ILS APPROACH INTO CENTENNIAL AIRPORT, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, BUT DURING THE APPROACH HE SAID THAT HE WAS '...ALL TURNED AROUND AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT.' THERE WAS NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH THE PILOT AND THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT. A SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED AND THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND SHORTLY AFTER DAYBREAK THE FOLLOWING MORNING. RADAR INFORMATION CONFIRMED THAT THE PILOT WAS FLYING IN CIRCLES AND HAD NOT ESTABLISHED HIMSELF ON THE APPROACH.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL AS A RESULT OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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