Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

Loss of control during climbout in clouds and the subsequent crash of a Cessna Citation 501 on May 29, 2021, was due to the pilot’s spatial disorientation, according to the recently published&nbsp;<a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103165/pdf">NTSB final report</a>. The crash killed the instrument-rated commercial pilot, a rated pilot passenger, and&nbsp;five other passengers.
After departing northbound from Smyrna Airport (KMQY) in Tennessee at about 10:53 a.m. in IMC on a planned Part 91 IFR flight to Palm Beach, Florida, the departure controller instructed the pilot to turn right heading 130 degrees. However, the pilot did not acknowledge.
A few seconds later, the controller asked the pilot if he copied the heading instruction. The pilot responded about four seconds later and said, “130…Bravo Kilo.” When the aircraft was instructed to climb and maintain 15,000 feet, there were no further responses from the pilot.
According to flight track data, after takeoff the twinjet entered clouds and made a series of heading changes and several climbs and descents before it entered a steep, descending left turn. “This type of maneuvering was consistent with the onset of a type of spatial disorientation known as somatogravic illusion,” said the Safety Board. “Accelerations associated with increasing airspeed were likely perceived by the pilot as the airplane pitching up although it was in a continuous descent.”
Because the pilot was experiencing spatial disorientation, the final report continued, he likely did not effectively use his instrumentation. He likely also was experiencing a high workload, “which would have had a further adverse effect on his performance. As such, the airplane entered a high acceleration, unusual attitude, and descending left turn from which the pilot was not able to recover.”

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Caused Fatal Citation Crash in Tennessee

According to the NTSB, pilot spacial disorientation caused the May 2021 fatal crash of a Cessna Citation 501 near Smyrna, Tennessee.

NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Caused Fatal Citation Crash

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Hawker crew did not respond to controller’s orders

NTSB Prelim Points To Distraction in Bizjet Collision

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

 Failure to heed advisories, pilot-induced oscillations led to fatality

NTSB: Crew Errors Led to Fatal Injury Onboard Challenger

David Jack Kenny

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Preliminary and final accident reports, December 2024

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: December 2024

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Accidents

NTSB Prelim Points To Distraction in Bizjet Collision

Hawker crew did not respond to controller’s orders

NTSB: Crew Errors Led to Fatal Injury Onboard Challenger

Failure to heed advisories, pilot-induced oscillations led to fatality

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: December 2024

Preliminary and final accident reports, December 2024

Swiftair 737 Freighter Crashes On Approach to Vilnius

Spanish charter carrier was operating flight for express package group DHL

Bombardier Safety Standdown: Surviving the Fire

Preparation and training resulted in a survivable accident

Five Killed in HondaJet Rejected Takeoff Crash at KFFZ

Aircraft caught fire and burned after hitting a vehicle

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: November 2024

Preliminary and final accident reports, November 2024

Year-to-date Bizav Accidents Decline

Fatal accidents were down year over year from 12 to 10

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN