Sick Airplane or Pilot Incompetence?

Episode 136

Was the fatal crash of a Piper PA46-500TP airplane the result of a plane with unresolved maintenance issues or a pilot with insufficient skills? The Flight Safety Detectives find that the NTSB report of this accident has no educational value or safety benefit.

Calling the single engine turbo-prop plane “not your father’s 172,” Greg brings to light the complexities of the aircraft involved. “When things go bad, they go bad very quickly.”

Todd adds his research on social media that indicates the pilot was uncomfortable with the plane. He notes that the pilot needed an unusually high number of hours to earn his instrument rating.

John covers the maintenance records. He wonders if the “no action taken” conclusion of the last work order was because the pilot declined repairs or if the root cause was believed to be the pilot’s inability to fly the aircraft.

The Flight Safety Detectives look at the NTSB report and available information to offer safety insights. They point to poor pilot skills and aeronautical decision making as important factors.

Accident details:

• NTSB Accident Number: DFW08FA057
• Public Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67401
• NTSB Final Report (PDF available at flightsafetydetectives.com)
• NTSB Witness Statement (PDF available at flightsafetydetectives.com)

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