American Aviation AA5 N26455 accident near College Park, Maryland

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering a climbing turn in instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB analysis

Prior to departure, the pilot received a standard weather briefing that included pertinent weather information along the route and his instrument departure clearance. Cloud ceilings were reported to be 500 ft above ground level and cloud tops were reported to be 21,000 ft mean sea level (msl). After departing, radar data showed the airplane maintained a heading of about 140° for about one minute airplane climbed to 1,200 ft msl and the pilot contacted air traffic control. He was instructed to turn to heading 310° once above 1,700 ft. The airplane initiated a right turn and climbed to about 1,900 ft before entering a right spiraling descent and impacting the ground.

Toxicology testing of the pilot’s tissue indicated the presence of diphenhydramine in liver and urine. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine that carries the following warning: may impair mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks (e.g., driving, operating heavy machinery). However, the samples tested were unsuitable for determining whether the levels identified could have caused impairment. As a result, it could not be determined if the pilot's use of a potentially impairing substance contributed to the accident.

Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane prior to the accident. Analyses of the weather conditions, radar track data, and wreckage distribution are consistent with the pilot becoming spatially disoriented and entering a graveyard spiral while making a climbing turn in instrument meteorological conditions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20FA060 for the full record.