Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX90DUD02

SANTA MONICA, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N100PY

REID LONG EZ

Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT ENTERED DOWNWIND FOR LANDING. THE TOWER CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT FOR LANDING AND THE PILOT STATED HE WOULD BE MAKING A 'LONG DOWNWIND.' TWO MINUTES LATER, THE PILOT TOLD THE TOWER THAT HE HAD LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY AND WOULD BE MAKING A GO-AROUND. THREE MINUTES LATER, THE TOWER CONTROLLER QUERIED THE FLIGHT ABOUT ITS POSTION AND THE PILOT RESPONDED THAT 'ACTUALLY I CAN'T TELL.' THAT WAS THE LAST COMMUNICATION WITH THE FLIGHT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND FLOATING ABOUT 4 MILES OFF SHORE. A HELICOPTER PILOT FLYING IN THE VICINITY REPORTED THAT A DENSE FOG BANK WAS MOVING ON SHORE AT THE TIME WITH TOPS AT ABOUT 900 FEET AND BASES AT ABOUT 400 FEET. THE WITNESS SAID THE INFLIGHT VISIBILITY WAS ONE HALF TO THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE BENEATH THE FOG BANK.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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