SOCATA TB-20 — Happy Camp, CA, 2010

SOCATA TB-20 — Happy Camp, CA

1 fatal High-time pilot

Date	May 22, 2010
Location	Happy Camp, CA
Aircraft	SOCATA TB-20
Purpose of flight	Personal
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Enroute-cruise Turbulence encounter
Pilot age	84
Pilot total time	1,900 hrs · Experienced
Time in type	Unknown
Fatalities	1

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to continue to operate under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with an embedded thunderstorm and rain showers and moderate to severe turbulence, which ultimately resulted in the loss of airplane control.

NTSB findings

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weather planning-Pilot - C
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C
Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Convective turbulence-Contributed to outcome
Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Convective weather-Thunderstorm-Contributed to outcome
Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Rain-Contributed to outcome
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C

What happened

The non-instrument-rated pilot advised an air traffic controller that he was having trouble descending through clouds. At that point, the controller lost radio and radar contact with the pilot and airplane, respectively. Shortly thereafter, emergency services began receiving telephone calls regarding a possible airplane crash. A law enforcement helicopter could not respond due to the foggy and rainy weather conditions. The wreckage was located later that evening in a forested area. Satellite imagery around the accident time showed the development of an area of convection immediately over the accident site consistent with low topped thunderstorms, which were embedded within a low cloud cover. The accident airplane encountered instrument meteorological conditions when it was lost from radar contact. The flight likely also encountered heavy rain and moderate to severe turbulence associated with the embedded thunderstorms.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.