Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW89LA061

ROBSTOWN, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N735EZ

CESSNA 182

Analysis

THE PLT CONTACTED APCH CONTROL & RPRTD HE WAS VFR-ON-TOP WITH A LOW FUEL CONDITION. HE WAS RADAR VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DSCNDD & RPRTD HE HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT, BUT ONLY INTERMITTENTLY THRU THE CLOUDS & FOG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE ARPT. APRX 750 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS FOUND ABOARD THE ACFT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT DELAYED FLIGHT TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION, CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, DARK NIGHT, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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