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.
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