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CTLE down


Roger Lee

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We won't for sure for a while if ever what happened.  The article I read said the airplane was helping with an arrest at the time of the crash.  Just speculation, but perhaps the occupants got distracted looking at the FLIR and other avionics and had a CFIT?  Seems to fit with the type of crash and circumstances.

 

Again, speculation only.

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We won't for sure for a while if ever what happened. The article I read said the airplane was helping with an arrest at the time of the crash. Just speculation, but perhaps the occupants got distracted looking at the FLIR and other avionics and had a CFIT? Seems to fit with the type of crash and circumstances.

 

Again, speculation only.

Not likely, I hope. SOP is for the pilot to always fly, while the other guy observes. That said, it does sadly appear to be CFIT. As you say, the cause will be elusive.

 

Our hearts go out to their families.

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  • 1 year later...

Attached is the NTSB Final Report for this unfortunate fatal accident.  The pilot was an experienced ATP with 3700 hours, including 1,000 in a CT.  There is always something to be learned by all of us in these incidents.  While the causation finding is one paragraph, the total report is 9 pages and includes a great deal of situational information about the pilot, plane, terrain and weather at the time of the accident. 

 

document.pdf

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The glare of late day/early morning sun is certainly a distraction.  Combine that with low and slow, and potential for a terrible result.  

 

That formula could also describe anyone coming into the pattern just prior to sunset, and turning downwind to base or base to final.  Mix in another  plane flying in on a straight approach, and you are straining to find him in the glare.  Momentarily you take your eye off your speed and pitch. 

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Lesson learned... if you're at around 52kts, you'd better be straight and seconds from landing, or have plenty of space below you.  Combined with other factors, this was an unfortunate perfect storm.  It's a reminder that all your hours and familiarity with an aircraft, will not change the laws of aerodynamics.

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