TNFlyGirl Debonair Crash: Autopilot/Trim PIO + Icing & Night IMC

About this episode

Max Trescott and Rob Mark discuss NTSB reports highlighting aviation accidents and safety lessons.

In episode 25 of NTSB News Talk, Max Trescott and Rob Mark break down seven NTSB reports with a common theme: the accident often starts long before the impact. Brought to you by AVEMCO aircraft insurance. Support Rob and Max by making a donation at Patreon.com They begin with an experimental Carbon Cub (N126C) that appears to have struck power lines during very low flight along the Payette River near Montour, Idaho—another reminder that wires are nearly invisible until they aren’t. Next is a Cessna 310R (N252DL) that descended into terrain on an IFR flight after the pilot stopped responding to ATC, pointing toward possible pilot incapacitation amid icing concerns and other red-flag gaps. The episode then tackles the Beech 35-C33 Debonair crash (N5891J) near Pulaski, Tennessee, where ADS-B data showed worsening pitch oscillations consistent with an autopilot/trim misunderstanding and pilot-induced oscillations. Two more reports highlight night risk: a Zenith CH 701 (N4209W) lost to spatial disorientation after VFR flight into deteriorating conditions, and a Cozy Mk IV (N656TE) that departed Half Moon Bay into night IMC and went into the ocean. Finally, they cover a Cirrus SR22…

People in this episode

Host: Max Trescott

Guest: Rob Mark

Topics covered

• aviation accidents
• NTSB reports
• pilot safety
• autopilot issues
• night flying risks
• icing conditions

Keywords

• NTSB
• aviation safety
• pilot lessons
• autopilot
• icing
• night IMC
• accidents
• spatial disorientation

Sponsors

AVEMCO

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Montour, Idaho, Pulaski, Tennessee, Half Moon Bay, ocean

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