Cessna T210M N732RR accident near Abbeville, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the prevailing clouds, rain, and turbulence.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was being vectored for an instrument approach to his destination airport when the pilot continued a right turn past his assigned heading and began to descend. The pilot did not respond to further instructions, lost control of the airplane and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. No distress call was transmitted. The airplane, engine and systems were examined. No anomalies were discovered. The vacuum pump coupling drive and the attitude direction indicator gyro both displayed scoring consistent with proper operation at the time of impact. A passenger who had gotten off the airplane before the accident flight stated that the only malfunction he witnessed that day was a problem with the airplane's right brake. The passenger also recalled that the last time he saw the pilot, the pilot appeared to be well and alert. An assessment of the weather and airplane flight path showed that the airplane flew through instrument meteorological conditions to include dark skies, light to moderate rain, and light to moderate turbulence.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DFW08FA080 for the full record.