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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 19, 1992 · Cessna 172P · N65737

Accokeek, MD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 1992
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Accokeek, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N65737
Operator
Flight International Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO92FA044

On an ILS approach to runway 36, the airplane disappeared off radar at 2,500 ft MSL about 12 nautical miles south of the airport. During the approach, the airplane was west of the localizer and was being vectored to intercept the localizer. A complete left 360 degree turn was made at the request of approach control (ARR). The pilot was then cleared to the ILS outer marker. Upon arrival to the outer marker the pilot was told to contact the local controller (LC). Before intercepting the localizer, the airplane started an approximate 9.5 degree left turn away from the localizer. During this turn, ARR queried the pilot about the airplane's heading. There was no response. The LC broadcasted to the airplane and requested the pilot to switch back to ARR. The pax acknowledged the request. There were no further transmissions by the pilot or pax. The investigation did not disclose any evidence of structural, instrument, or engine failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

ON AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36, THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR AT 2,500 FT MSL ABOUT 12 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE WAS WEST OF THE LOCALIZER AND WAS BEING VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER. A COMPLETE LEFT 360 DEGREE TURN WAS MADE AT THE REQUEST OF APPROACH CONTROL (ARR). THE PILOT WAS THEN CLEARED TO THE ILS OUTER MARKER. UPON ARRIVAL TO THE OUTER MARKER THE PILOT WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC). BEFORE INTERCEPTING THE LOCALIZER, THE AIRPLANE STARTED AN APPROXIMATE 9.5 DEGREE LEFT TURN AWAY FROM THE LOCALIZER. DURING THIS TURN, ARR QUERIED THE PILOT ABOUT THE AIRPLANE'S HEADING. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE LC BROADCASTED TO THE AIRPLANE AND REQUESTED THE PILOT TO SWITCH BACK TO ARR. THE PAX ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS BY THE PILOT OR PAX. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL, INSTRUMENT, OR ENGINE FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN65737
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlight International Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data