Accident Case Study: Deadly Disorientation recreates the tragic events that led a twin Cessna to crash into a neighborhood in Santee, California, killing the pilot and one person on the ground.
NTSB
P-51 crashes into PA46 on taxiway
The P51 pilot’s failure to see and avoid the PA46 during taxi operations.
Cessna 441 crashes into hangar
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, failure to set the parking brake, and his decision to exit the airplane with engines running to remove a wheel chock, resulting in the airplane’s unintended movement and subsequent collision with a hangar.
Twin crashes after running out of fuel
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Snow ends low flight
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.
Student pilot loses control during engine start
The pilot’s loss of directional control during engine start.
Carb icing ends night flight
The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the flight instructor’s failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing.
NTSB blames inadequate planning for mid-air collision at air show
On Nov. 12, 2022, a Boeing B-17G bomber and a Bell P-63F fighter collided inflight during a performance at the Commemorative Air Force’s Wings Over Dallas air show. Both airplanes crashed, killing all five aboard the B-17G and the sole occupant of the Bell P-63F.
Fuel exhaustion leads to forced landing
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.