N447TBCARSON PIEL EMERAUDE CP305 1993-12-25 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

CARSON PIEL EMERAUDE CP305 S/N: 1169

Summary

On December 25, 1993, a Carson PIEL EMERAUDE CP305 (N447TB) was involved in an accident near Morrison, TN. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION AND LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On December 25, 1993, at 1200 central standard time, a Carson Piel Emeraude CP305, N447TB, was destroyed following a collision with terrain in Morrison, Tennessee. The student pilot and one passenger were fatally injured in the accident and post impact fire. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at a private, grass airstrip in Morrison shortly before the accident.

Witnesses reported that the pilot was performing touch and go landings at the airstrip, which was owned by the pilot's family. The winds were gusting, with intermittent snow shower activity.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ATL94LA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N447TB.

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, December 25, 1993
NTSB Number
ATL94LA031
Location
MORRISON, TN
Event ID
20001211X13822
Coordinates
35.599334, -85.909164
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION AND LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CARSON
Serial Number
1169
Model / ICAO
PIEL EMERAUDE CP305

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SMITH RICHARD J
Address
1909 BUTTERNUT AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
METAIRIE
State / Zip Code
LA 70001
Country
United States

Analysis

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On December 25, 1993, at 1200 central standard time, a Carson Piel Emeraude CP305, N447TB, was destroyed following a collision with terrain in Morrison, Tennessee. The student pilot and one passenger were fatally injured in the accident and post impact fire. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at a private, grass airstrip in Morrison shortly before the accident.

Witnesses reported that the pilot was performing touch and go landings at the airstrip, which was owned by the pilot's family. The winds were gusting, with intermittent snow shower activity. The aircraft was seen executing a go-around at about 15 feet above the ground, then turning toward an approaching snow shower. The witnesses, who were relatives of the pilot, lost visual contact with the aircraft due to the snow showers. The aircraft wreckage was found the following day in a wooded area, approximately one half mile from the airstrip.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Witnesses reported that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. The pilot had been issued a student pilot certificate on December 20, 1982. It was reported that the pilot had conducted his first solo flight in January, 1983. No other flight experience was recorded.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Autopsies and toxicological examinations were not performed on the occupants at the request of the victims' families.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL94LA031