17 Jun 20267:41 reconstruction9K views

A Circuit-Breaker Problem Became Part of a Fatal Loss of Control

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Timeline
1
20 February 2020 — N860J operated at night in IMC near Abilene.
2
Climb — The pilot reported freezing drizzle and rime icing.
3
11,600 ft — The pilot reported a deicing-equipment circuit-breaker problem and requested a return.
4
Descent — The pilot worked on the circuit breaker while communicating with ATC.
5
4,700 ft — The pilot reported faulty instruments.
6
Final radar sequence — The aircraft entered a tightening descending right turn.
7
Impact — The aircraft struck terrain.
8
Investigation — Spatial disorientation was identified as the probable cause.

The flight was already in icing conditions

On 20 February 2020, N860J was operating at night in instrument meteorological conditions near Abilene, Texas. During the climb, the pilot reported freezing drizzle and rime icing. At approximately 11,600 feet, the pilot reported a problem with the circuit breaker associated with deicing equipment and requested to return to the airport.

The problem moved from the electrical system to the cockpit workload

During the descent, the pilot was communicating with ATC while also troubleshooting the circuit breaker. Later, at about 4,700 feet, the pilot reported faulty instruments. post-accident examination did not find pre-impact anomalies in the engines or flight controls and that the electrical system remained functional as reflected in recorded aircraft data.

Radar showed a tightening right turn

The radar track developed into a descending right turn with a decreasing radius. The pattern was consistent with a graveyard-spiral-type loss of control. The final transmission in the recorded transmission captured the pilot describing the developing emergency while the aircraft continued toward terrain.

Spatial disorientation was the official focus

The investigation attributed the loss of control to spatial disorientation. The circuit-breaker troubleshooting and ongoing ATC communications were identified as contributing factors because they increased distraction during instrument flight. The record does not support treating the reported faulty instruments as a proven primary mechanical failure.

NTSB/accident investigation details.

The accident is therefore not best described as an unexplained instrument failure. The investigation's negative mechanical findings are as important as the pilot's reported symptoms. The aircraft entered a tightening right-hand descent while the pilot was working through an abnormal electrical indication in cloud, and the final loss of control followed that sequence.

The investigation’s finding states: “The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with a “popped” circuit breaker and communications with air traffic control.”

Aircraft
N860J
Date
20 February 2020
Location
Abilene, Texas
Category
Fatal crash

Sources

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.
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