VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN19FA119
Rockwell International NA-265-65 — New Albany, MS
| Date | April 13, 2019 |
| Location | New Albany, MS |
| Aircraft | Rockwell International NA-265-65 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 22,200 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 3 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Electrical power system-(general)-Failure - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Clouds-Effect on personnel - F
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
What happened
Two instrument-rated commercial pilots and one passenger were conducting a cross-country flight in instrument meteorological conditions when they began discussing an electrical malfunction; they then reported the electrical problem to air traffic control. The airplane subsequently made a descending right turn and impacted wooded terrain at a high speed. Most components of the airplane were highly fragmented, impact damaged, and unidentifiable.
Based on the limited discussion of the electrical problem on the cockpit voice recorder and the damage to the airplane, it was not possible to determine the specific nature of the electrical malfunction the airplane may have experienced. While it was not possible to determine which systems were impacted by the electrical malfunction, it is possible the flight instruments were affected. The airplane's descending, turning, flight path before impact is consistent with a system malfunction that either directly or indirectly (through a diversion of attention) led to the pilot's loss of awareness of the airplane's performance in instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.