FlightFollowerFatigue, Weather, and Pilot Error | 14-Hour Duty Day Ends in Tragedy
On February 14, 2014, Cessna 210L N732EJ was carrying out a Southern Seaplane revenue flight toward Birmingham, Alabama. The airplane had already been delayed by weather earlier in the trip. By the time the pilot reached the Birmingham area, the operation had extended well beyond the originally planned schedule.
The NTSB's investigation established that the pilot was operating the airplane under a company VFR-only qualification and was not current for night flight. After the weather delays, however, he continued toward Birmingham and obtained an IFR clearance from Birmingham Approach. The controller asked whether he was capable and qualified for IFR flight, and the pilot answered affirmatively.
At 2208 local time, the pilot contacted Birmingham Approach and requested the ILS Runway 24 approach. Controllers issued headings and altitudes to position the Cessna for the approach. At 2220:38, the controller instructed the pilot to turn right to 210 degrees and maintain 2,800 feet until established on the localizer.
Instead of continuing the instructed right turn, the airplane turned left. NTSB radar analysis found that the aircraft reached a bank angle of about 60 degrees, with a turn rate of approximately 11 degrees per second. About two seconds after the last radar return, the pilot transmitted, “say again for two echo juliet.” The controller immediately instructed him to level the wings and climb, but there was no further response.
The wreckage was found in wooded terrain about 0.3 nautical mile from the last radar target. Examination found no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction of the airframe, flight controls or engine. The NTSB also determined that the wind conditions were unlikely to explain the turn opposite the controller's instruction.
The NTSB determined that the probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain control while being vectored to intercept the localizer during night IMC. The board also identified the operator's inadequate dispatch procedures as a contributing factor because they allowed the pilot to fly beyond his duty day, at night when he was not current, and in IMC despite the company's VFR-only qualification.
Research and reconstruction
Flight Follower Editorial Team
This reconstruction was researched from official investigation records where they exist, the original air traffic control recording, and contemporary reporting. The aircraft movement, timeline and written account were assembled independently by Flight Follower. Where an investigation is open or no probable cause has been published, the account says so rather than offering one.
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Accident facts
- Date
- 14 February 2014
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210L Centurion
- Registration
- N732EJ
- Flight
- Southern Seaplane revenue cargo flight
- Location
- Near Clay, Alabama, northeast of Birmingham
- NTSB case
- ERA14FA120
- Occupants
- 2
- Fatalities
- 2
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Investigation status
- NTSB final report
Chronology of the event
Sources
Source video
National Transportation Safety Board, investigation ERA14FA120.
The official record
This occurrence was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board under accident number ERA14FA120. The Board records the event as occurring on 15 February 2014 at Clay, AL. The aircraft is identified as a CESSNA 210L, registration N732EJ. The highest injury level recorded is fatal.
The Board’s record additionally lists phase of flight recorded as approach; standing; uncontrolleddescent, weather conditions recorded as Instrument (IMC), operating under 135.
The investigation is closed. The Board determined the probable cause to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while being vectored to intercept the localizer during night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate dispatch procedures, which did not prevent the pilot from flying beyond his duty day, flying at night for which he was not current, or flying in IMC for which he was not qualified by the company.
NTSB, accident ERA14FA120
A probable cause is the Board’s determination of what brought the occurrence about. It is reached after the investigation closes and supersedes any earlier account, including contemporary reporting and anything inferred from the recording alone.
The full record can be retrieved from the NTSB’s public case system, CAROL, by searching accident number ERA14FA120.