Accident · 2011-11-23
What the record says
- Event date
- 2011-11-23
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- ROCKWELL 690 (N690SM)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- Ponderosa Aviation, Inc. Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Ponderosa Aviation
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a safe ground track and altitude combination for the moonless night visual flight rules flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's complacency and lack of situational awareness and his failure to use air traffic control visual flight rules flight following or minimum safe altitude warning services. Also contributing to the accident was the airplane's lack of onboard terrain awareness and warning system equipment. Member Sumwalt filed a concurring statement that can be found in the public docket for this accident. Member Weener joined the statement.
Source: NTSB case WPR12MA046Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Commercial | Airplane | 31 | Class 2 (2011-07-25) | 2,500 total |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.