4) U- IMC ATO, C-FIT

Cessna 172N | N737VC

January 23rd, 2024 | Weston, Florida

Accident Location

  • City: Weston
  • State: Florida
  • Latitude: 26.149583
  • Longitude: -80.509903
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N737VC
  • Make: Cessna
  • Model: 172N
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Badenjki, Mohamed
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 51
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: Yes
  • Instructional Flight: Yes
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: January 23rd, 2024
  • Time: 6:45 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Night
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA096
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 4) U- IMC ATO, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in the pilots failure to focus attention inside on the instrument panel display. In looking only outside for visual reference, the aircraft both appeared and felt as if it was maintaining altitude while truly it was in a constant angle descent into the dark black everglades after takeoff. In this case, night VFR was IFR.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become aware of this specific scenario, and these phenomena, and condition themselves to revert to basic attitude instrument flight in these scenarios of ever decreasing outside reference. Trust the gauges. Fly the gauges. The DTSB recommends rehearsal and conditioning for all pilots, concerning the use of the ADI as primary for pitch immediately after takeoff.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.