ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 45359
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| Date: | Sunday 17 November 2002 |
| Time: | 13:44 |
| Type: |  Cessna 152 |
| Owner/operator: | National Aviation Services, Inc. |
| Registration: | N4794P |
| MSN: | 15284819 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 9050 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-235 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Houston, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Houston, TX (DWH) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
When the private pilot scheduled the instructional flight, he stated that he had an ear operation and needed to see how his ears would feel at altitude before he went for an FAA medical certificate. He also stated that he was contemplating doing some aerial photography, and wanted to see how the aerial visibility was from the airplane during turns at altitude. He flew the airplane to an altitude of 9,500 feet msl where he opened the left window, stated that he wanted to check his ears, and requested that the CFI fly the airplane. The private pilot made two request for the CFI to increase the angle of bank. Subsequently, the flight instructor increased the turn to 45-degree bank and started a 300 to 500 foot per minute descent rate. The CFI heard a "noise that sounded like maybe the seat belt hitting the side of the [air]plane" and the CFI looked to his left and saw the private pilot exiting the airplane. The CFI noticed the #1 radio was already tuned to 121.5 MHz (emergency frequency). The CFI notified the controller that the private pilot had exited the airplane. The CFI landed the airplane without incident. Examination of the aircraft restraint system and the left cabin door did not reveal any discrepancies. Evidence and statements obtained by friends and co-workers of the private pilot indicated an ongoing treatment for depression and a recent intent to take his own life by using an aircraft. A note found in the private pilot's vehicle stated in part: "I'm tired of being depressed. I've been this way for almost 2 months. I'm about ready to do anything to stop feeling this way."
Probable Cause: The dual student's intentional suicide by exiting from the airplane during descent. A contributing factor was the psychological condition of the dual student.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20021121X05504&key=1
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 26 January 2007 | N83HT | High Tech Aviation | 0 | Houston, Texas | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Oct-2008 00:45 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 09-Dec-2017 18:00 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Total occupants, Source, Narrative] |
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