Cessna 340A Crash San Diego, CA 11 Oct 2021

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[@patrickmurphy6911]

This lucid, understandable, and informed commentary is why I consider this channel an essential resource on YT. This is good journalism at it's purest. An informed observer collects available data and translates it into a narrative that can be followed by the layperson. It's not the final NTSB report, but it is light years beyond the crap pumped out by national networks and over matched local sources. It's highly informed content delivered quickly. That this type of resource is in conflict with YT's policies is just one more element of our national confusion about internet media.

[@boots_n_coots]

KZbin seems to be very afraid of stepping on the toes of paying advertisers.

[@ARFFWorld]

I agree. KZbin also promotes the best channels like his as well

[@timmykk1]

Outstanding comment, PM. My sentiments exactly. Thanks to Juan for a clear-eyed analysis.

[@markmaki4460]

Well that will be one good thing about what is going down soon with regard to information access. There will be less confusion once all our media are as well - er - managed as they are in communist China.

[@oa2835]

What a great comment ! I agree !

[@nunyabusiness6699]

That controller was incredible, did everything he could to help that pilot. Bravo sir, bravo!

[@thatguy7085]

Imagin seeing it on the radar… begging him to climb… he says I’m climbing… then seeing he isn’t and begging again please climb… then have a helicopter say the plane just hit some houses…. 😳

[@00000000000101010]

Agreed, must be a terrible feeling. :'(

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

I don't get it they said he was a flight instructor as well. How could he fail to see his instruments all begging him to climb and the controller as well. He either seriously lost it for some reason or had no business flying.

[@jaanfo3874]

@@xcalibertrekker6693 Please don’t judge or criticize too harshly per Juan’s request. Remember the pilot’s family could still read this. Even the most experienced pilots can and do lose their spatial orientation. It sounds like the doctor failed to set up his autopilot to establish on the localizer then took over and began hand-flying in IMC with conflicting traffic and stressed about blowing his approach…. One minor mistake leads to another and another, and it all just snowballs until it becomes a disaster.

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

@@jaanfo3874 You may be right but he was being directed by ATC as well and failed to heed multiple warnings. He is lucky he only murdered one innocent person just doing there job. Your also just making excuses one mistake does not always lead to another.

[@jwwj30]

RIP to the 2nd person who died in this accident, UPS employee Steve Krueger. He was a 30 year UPS driver, age 61 & was set to retire next summer, 2022. He had delivered packages on his regular route in Santee for decades, was well known & loved by all his regular customers. As it was described by witnesses, the airplane wing struck his vehicle & he quickly perished from the contact.

[@youtbe999]

Thanks for your post. RIP Steve Krueger and condolences to family and friends.

[@moxievintage1390]

(Thank you for the details, @JWWJ! I somehow missed the details of this gentleman's life.) Good lord what a tragic set of circumstances for Mr. Krueger!!! Set to retire soon, oh my goodness. His family & friends must be in such shock...Condolences to all. RIP Mr. Krueger.

[@bluezboy865]

Thank you for details of Mr. Krueger, second victim in this tragedy. One can only hope he never even realized the tragic fate before him.

[@hdpro553]

Unless I misunderstood a news report quoting the UPS driver's brother, I believe he was retiring Oct 22, 2021. Not summer of 2022. So it had been set to be real soon after this had occurred. So sorry for all families involved.

[@scottcol23]

@@hdpro553 That is so sad. You can argue the if he had retired a month earlier this would not have happened to him. But in all honesty, we could get hit by an aircraft at any moment. I could be killed while typing this comment.

[@paulgooding803]

He lived in SD and worked in Yuma, commuted back and forth constantly. Owned two airplanes and was instrument rated. The marine layer weather is a constant for half the year every year, anyone who flies around there is familiar with it. Looking at the somatographic aspects of the 767 cargo flight in Houston that did about the same maneuver as this Cessna, but into a lake ... it's clear that the tendency to become disoriented in these kinds of approach-marginal weather scenarios is pretty strong and pretty deadly. As a former CFI I am inclined to look at this as a training issue, and I would consider regulatory change regarding single-pilot IMC operations of this type. I see a pattern here that was quite recognizable when I was instructing and doing a lot of check rides for all manner of GA pilots ... people treat the airplane as if it were just a fast car. A quick way to get home or get to a business meeting. They don't realize that they can quickly ... in seconds or minutes ... get themselves into situations that will eat their lunch. You can tell them that, plan ahead, don't get caught in a scramble to fly and navigate and do an approach and deal with weather because that's going to put you in a very high risk situation. But they don't listen. They just don't listen.

[@applejack2911]

Wow,.am glad I dropped out of flight training now. Horrible way to go,.spacial disorientation

[@kuiper921]

Really unfortunate that some people have that mindset. I'd much rather be a little late because I had to divert to another airport due to imc than to get caught up in spatial d and never make it. I hope I never find myself in a situation like this

[@valerieclark5064]

Thanks for this analysis. My aunt flew single-engine Cessna planes for 22 years and had 4,600 flight hours with her IVR and commercial ratings/licenses. Her plane crashed on June 10, 2018. She, her daughter, and 2 grandchildren were lost. This was hard to watch, but you gave me some good information on spatial disorientation. NTSB has never issued the final report but told my cousin that they attribute the accident to spatial disorientation. It's been hard to believe since she always would say, trust your instruments, never what your see or feel. I heard her final landing radio call and read the radio transcript. There was zero sign of a problem, and a distant family member heard her plane fly over her house. She said she knew something was wrong with her engine.

[@VASAviation]

Thanks for your analysis as always, Juan.

[@ARFFWorld]

Thank you to your channel as well. It works well with Juans.

[@davidmoore8741]

Thank you vasa! U do great work aswell!

[@blancolirio]

Thanks for your hard work Victor!

[@javabeanz8549]

Juan's viewers thank you for the easy to follow video!

[@yowwwwie]

@@blancolirio Hi JB, I agree w Victor on your work. BTW: on the Lilium (Jet/car eVTol) I mentioned and wanted your opinion on, I gave you 2 links. Q: on electric Vertical Take off and landing craft that are being developed for 2025....what is your take on it? יוי

[@19211926]

I'm a retired airline pilot and live in San Diego. I've watched all the video's and listened to all the ATC. What a very sad day and God Bless to all.

[@mikethompson3710]

Again, excellent analysis. In my flying career I suffered spatial disorientation twice, once at night in the clouds and once at Sun 'n Fun in the FAA's spatial awareness simulator. First time I was a low time Private Pilot with a fresh instrument rating, in the simulator somewhere around 10,000 hours with CFII, MEI, yadda, yadda. The "reach down and pick up the wrench (which was glued down but they don't tell you that) got me. I suffered the symptoms you describe and the only thing that allowed me to not crash was hearing my instrument instructor's voice over and over... "Trust your instruments!" I believe keeping my focus on the instruments, even when George was flying, kept me out of further trouble. Thank You for your work here!

[@ironman2536]

Yeah mike, your instructor was right on by saying that. "Trust your Instruments!" I'm a CFII as well & have also flown single pilot in a large multi-engine A/C Part 135 cargo. Trust those instruments and keeping the basic scan going, while flying in IMC. Another key & simple items I would instruct my students. First "Properly Fly the aircraft", Second "Navigate", Third "Communicate" I agree with Juan, the instrument scan had completely stop & that this looks like a likely case of Spatial Disorientation.

[@mikethompson3710]

@@ironman2536 Yeah, I flew checks at night across N & S Carolina and Georgia slogging it out in the wx in a single engine Cessna 182. Looking back from a whole different perspective... WHAT was I thinking?!!?

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

@@mikethompson3710 This made my laugh out loud.... because been there done that in my 20's. Now I'm almost 60 and No Way, would I do that. :))

[@47mphill]

Great video ! I witnessed almost the same scenario at night as a passenger. I was a AL pilot at the time and tried to take control of the aircraft. Wound up fighting over the controls briefly before recovering our spiral descent. Having an instrument rating doesnt mean a darn thing without a lot of experience IFR !

[@garyporter8153]

The way you explain these occurrences, at least for me a simple layman, sets as if I was watching the event happen right in front of me. Thanks Juan. God Bless his soul.

[@tombongard7518]

My father was the director of safety 833rd air division. I was always fascinated as a teen when he told me how his office solved the accidents. Love your channel because of this. It is why I subscribed. He has been gone for 20 years so somehow It brings him back. Thanks

[@Mickeycuatropatas]

I was very impressed with the ATC trying so hard to help this pilot and prevent him from crashing. Too bad he didn't have a co-pilot to help him out. Thanks, Juan.

[@kontoname]

@@MrCobb-rq8iv What?

[@robertleslie2467]

Sad a tragic and I commend the ATC guys for trying to do everything they could to save the pilot and his aircraft. Mahalo Juan.

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

I Listened earlier to Victor channel, and it sound 's like he was confused and not flying a lot. Thank you Juan

[@bw162]

I bet he wasn’t confused until the end. My guess he was distracted or possibly even ignoring the climb instructions thinking he would breakout as he probably had 100s of times and do a visual to runway 20.

[@186bingo]

He’s a commuter. I think he does fly a lot v

[@tropicthndr]

Radio transmissions indicated very clearly his speech getting slurred, you don’t get that when your disoriented but you do when your intoxicated or having a stroke. All the videos show the plane in perfectly clear weather below clouds when he was getting instructions to level out. You don’t get disoriented in clear weather.

[@bw162]

@@tropicthndr Maybe but I doubt it. He responded to ATC diverting from approach course with “correcting” and similarly on altitude directions. He never said or acted like he ever had ground contact. And the very brief pics/video only showed him moments before impact below a broken to solid overcast that was still obscuring the hills in the background. His speech is can be explained by someone having vertigo and clearly not in control of his plane or understanding what is happening.

[@davidduganne5939]

Every pilot should experience the Bárány Chair. Excellent way to demonstrate how turning your head, or leaning forward/down can induce an involuntary reaction to a perceived acceleration.

[@oldowl4290]

I live in San Diego about 2nm due west of MYF and for an hour around the time of the crash we were having some huge wind gusts (at least at the surface) so he may have been getting knocked around in the clouds too. This definitely seems like a strong case for disorientation and heavy wind gusts would certainly add to that. Also consider the factors of missing the initial approach which can cause some immediate embarrassment / emotional stress. And once ATC gave him vectors who knows if he began resetting the approach on the GPS which is yet another distraction in the equation of many here. It's unfortunate as we seem to have a fatal incident like this in San Diego about once every three years with that area around SEE having the highest rate of all our airports (even though he was going to MYF).

[@classicrestoration]

Very sad for all concerned. The media’s coverage was hopeless and was waiting for your take on this tragic event. Thank you for making sense of it all👍🏼

[@chrisvandecar4676]

Back when I was just learning to fly in USAF pilot school, we used fly formation through the wx sometimes on the wing for an ILS through the landing. When flying as #2 your only ADI is the looking at the other airplane. It only took my ear a few minutes to lose the plot. About two minutes of being in solid IMC my ear was saying we were about to fly the ILS inverted. I knew it wasn’t right but it was a powerful sense to deal with.

[@ablack7777]

As a pilot of a USAF RF-4C, and an instructor in an RTU, I have had the occasion more than once to go to the tanker in night weather as number four in a 4 ship. In joining up with the tanker I have actually felt like I was flying totally upside down. What experienced pilots do is accept the illusion knowing it’s going to happen to you, and although you don’t have the luxury of referring to the instruments, only the wingtip in the star, with the same professional discipline you assure yourself that your senses are lying to you. My guess is this experienced pilot, if he suffered from any kind of illusion, overcame that with professionalism, however sorry to say he was unable to overcome the effects of a stroke.

[@chrisvandecar4676]

@@ablack7777 no, no many times I would roll my -135 inverted just to mess with you fighter types 😆

[@ablack7777]

@@chrisvandecar4676 hopefully you briefed everyone to strap in first. I will tell you I’ve seen it before, and it is really tough to stay on the boom. Thank goodness for receiver Director lights

[@chrisvandecar4676]

@@ablack7777 😆

[@sd906238]

Same thing happened to JFK jr. Flew into haze at night. He listened to his inner ears and not the instruments. He wasn't instrument rated.

[@PenDragonsPig]

Quality delivery from an expert who doesn’t forget to be human.

[@stephenreese5921]

When I was a young pilot, a good friend and A&P mechanic told me to always trust my instruments. Throughout my career, every time I got disoriented I heard his voice in my head. I have always listened to his sage advice and always came through stressful events. Thank him.

[@vwfanatic2390]

Thank you for helping regular people like me understand how and why things like this happen. Having to wait 3+ years to get some bogus jargon filled rhetoric from the FAA, virtually eliminates the possibility of real learning. I hope the YT AI doesn’t take away the valuable learning resource your channel brings to KZbin viewers.

[@RoBert-ix6ev]

For me, a low hour, little experience pilot, this content is extremely helpful, thank you for the efforts making it!!!

[@billmoran3812]

Single pilot, Hand flying in IMC is a pretty high workload. We don’t know the extent of newer avionics if any, but there’s no way I want to fly that approach by hand in those conditions. Whenever I expected possible imc conditions I used to get a second pilot to join me for the flight. With modern avionics, I would make sure I am 100% proficient at using all of the tools to reduce the workload in actual conditions. A compounding factor in this accident may be lack of currency in imc operation. Southern California has so much good weather, I’m sure it’s difficult to schedule recurrence training in actual conditions. Add some rusty skills to a high workload, and it’s a recipe for tragedy.

[@martyllanos73]

San Diego weather is IMC a lot. Marine layer is very unpredictable. Anyone who flys there knows it can change at a moments notice. There is also a lot of restricted airspace due to many military bases. Being that this pilot lived in San Diego and flew to Yuma regularly for work, I’m certain that he flew in IMC regularly.

[@hughbassoon]

I’m not a pilot, but from what I’ve learned, there is the additional pressure of using the aircraft to commute. The “get there itis “

[@slowsteve3497]

I fly out of San Diego. Weather is great but marine layer in am is common. I schedule flights in afternoon.

[@TyphoonVstrom]

Sounds like the pilot had not set up quite right for the approach (maybe autopilot not set to ILS, or ILS frequency wrong, autopilot failed). Flown the route many times before, was possibly complacent or at least quite confident with the process. This initial problem attempting to join the ILS threw his whole regular process/ procedure. Autopilot off (as now he is not sure what has gone wrong- autopilot? ILS freqency?) and starts hand flying after probably not following along with the instruments in IMC as much as he should've been. Starts to get very stressed by the fact something so "routine" (done the trip many times), has suddenly gone wrong, starts troubleshooting the problem instead of recognising the ILS recapture is not an option and just ask for or let ATC provide vectors for another go at the ILS. Starts getting questions from ATC regarding failure to capture ILS, starts reading back ATC wrong, still puzzled as to what went wrong with the ILS intercept/ trying to hand fly when unexpectedly coming off autopilot, and it cascades from there. This just shows you how powerful somotogravic illusions can be. I am sure as a doctor, this pilot would've been very aware of somotogravic illusions from training (we all take special interest in something that crosses over in our lives from one task to another) and he still couldn't overcome the desire to believe his ears and not his eyes.

[@straybullitt]

@@hughbassoon It makes it particularly insidious to use a sometimes demanding method of transportation, to commute back and forth to what can be a high-stress occupation. It's not the first time that a doctor has fallen into this trap....

[@seaprobecaptain]

When it strikes, "the leans" come on swiftly and fiercely. As Juan said, the adrenaline kicks in immediately. Task saturated or not before that, spatial disorientation is powerful in way that can only be experienced, not explained in words. For me, at least, it took an enormous amount of focus and willpower to overcome my instincts and retain control of the aircraft. It was almost as if my hands did not want to listen to my conscious brain. This may also be why the pilot here disconnected the autopilot, believing it was misbehaving.

[@oldowl4290]

Or he had disconnected the autopilot because he thought he was intercepting the ILS and was descending. Or was he even using it at all?

[@peteyou2325]

Always trust your flight instruments, never what your inner ear is telling you. I couldn't hammer this reality into my IFR students enough.

[@Mikinct]

@@peteyou2325 too bad he couldn’t simply reactivate his autopilot to climb to 3,000ft & just level the wings. The autopilot did get him 3/4 of the way there. Plus- I’ve noticed many times the confusion of tracking one runway localizer to then circle to land at adjacent runway. Many pilots had much difficulty with that task. Add bad weather & a fast plane & it’s not good.

[@docholiday7758]

@@peteyou2325 It’s more than “believing the instruments”. Vertigo can physically incapacitate and literally paralyze you. Not out of fear. It can just paralyze you so that you cannot move your extremities using all your will…even if you’re completely stationary and level. I experienced this once (in a stationary theme park attraction designed to optically induce vertigo). My head slammed down on my shoulder and I could not lift it with all my strength, and Im an athletic guy. This experience convinced me to never get an instrument rating.

[@kwittnebel]

@@docholiday7758 or at least get an autopilot with a wing level button and use it

[@paulcorwin9387]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and this has been the most informative video on a plane crash that I’ve ever seen.It must have taking you hours to put this together.What a great job.You are the best

[@camachinist]

IDK, looking at his history, he flew that route like a machine over the past few months, at least. Literally within a couple minutes of flight time variation. Also, a lot of seat time the past few months too. Not a typical GA pilot in that regard. Busy. Like he was an airplane commuter. Thanks for the analysis. Kudos to the controller. Rest in peace to the pilot and UPS driver. I'd heard the driver was on the cusp of retirement. Sad.

[@jaanfo3874]

He lived in San Diego and worked in Yuma, about a 120 mile commute. I believe I heard he made the trip twice a week (not sure if that’s two round trips or two one-way trips though).

[@dougaltolan3017]

I was wondering about his familiarity with the route. Given what you say, is it significant that he appeared confused by the approach and runway instruction?

[@christinecortese9973]

@@dougaltolan3017 My bet is that he had a medical issue. I think he knew this route very well indeed.

[@2Timothy42]

@@christinecortese9973 I some what agree. I think that, and possibly the circle to land instruction (which was not very common and possibly never did and was rusty on how that worked) are the two leading theories on my mind as to what threw him.

[@bw162]

Familiarity is a killer. He probably planned his departures to arrive as the fog was breaking up. Didn’t think or even plan on an approach…breakout out at 1,500 well before even needing to be established on the ILS and do a visual to 20. I bet he had done that 100s of time. And then has his focus outside instead of on the instruments hoping to see the “sucker hole”.

[@haleiwasteve8434]

If you've never experienced spatial disorientation, it's hard to explain. RIP to the pilot and UPS driver and hopefully those injured will recover quickly. Thanks for sharing.

[@motorTranz]

May God comfort the families of those that perished in this tragedy. And healing for the injured🙏

[@scottjamison1602]

As I listened to your description of the condition he was in as his senses didn’t match his instruments my first experience as a new pilot came back to me even after 30 years. I remember it clearly as my instructor had me slide the blinders on so I could only see the instruments, everything you described happened to me as I fought the that Cessna 152 because it wouldn’t fly correctly. My instructor kept saying trust your instruments, level your wings, after what to me felt like 15 minutes of flying he lifted the hood and I was turning and diving toward the ground. My experience only lasted 30 or 45 seconds. My heart went out to this man because I could in a small way know how he felt at that moment. I am sorry for him and everyone else who were effected. Thank you for helping us understand how these things can happen to all of us.

[@richardmassoth8237]

As so often, thanks for your analysis and combining the information from other resources. I urge KZbin to keep you on this channel. You are an impartial analyst of aircraft incidents (and worse, sad to say). But this is needed commentary to have us all learn to do better not only in flight, but in other endeavors where "root cause analysis" of incidents is vital to prevent future catastrophes.

[@sey1yes2]

Hey Juan, you're analysis is really great. I am wondering if whether this pilot was fatigued prior to the flight. An MD, working all day, even if it's "easy" suggests fatigue, possibly coupled to "get there itis". A second thought was, this guy sort of fits the profile of an intelligent, highly driven, "type A" personality, the type that minimizes risk routinely. Sad. If he did fit this type of personality description, another take-away might be for other "type A" pilots to pretty much always fly with a co-pilot who is not fatigued or otherwise distracted or compromised, i.e., a professional pilot, not a "buddy".

[@jumpinjojo]

*Your analysis. Not you're.

[@Dobermanator]

@@jumpinjojo Quick there's a spelling AND grammar error 16 comments down and below this one, if you hurry you might catch it before it changes number in the queue.

[@jumpinjojo]

Dobermanator Thanks for the heads up!

[@badmonkey2222]

Sounded like to me he was behind the airplane before even getting clearance and I called it yesterday Juan about the circle to land instruction getting him all out of sorts I was surprised you noticed that as well, started drifting right of the ILS ATC cancelled the approach clearance then sternly told him to pull up and turn he probably pulled up hard without reconfiguring for a go-around possibly looped it, then as you said somatic graphic illusion and spatial disorientation got into that steep right turn better known as the death spiral, he was full power and 70 degrees nose down when he hit at over 250 knots. These C340 twins are extremely powerful and you're not proficient and get behind the plane especially when landing this is going to be the result every time.

[@steven2145]

I agree...he had what looked like both a garmin 750 and 650. He should have had the procedures already loaded and ready to go. How did he miss the localizer?

[@skidrowplo]

I listened to the ATC comms for this flight before shuffling over to your channel Juan. My immediate response when listening to the exchange between the PIC and ATC was that the pilot 'seemed' to be completely bamboozled by the "circle to land' portion of ATC's instructions. Exactly as you point out in your assessment. However, this seems surprising if - as you suggest - he was flying this route on a regular basis between home and work. You would have thought his response to ATC on a flight he has flown dozens of times would almost be memorized by heart. Yet he seemed completely confused. I've also watched Dan Gryder's analysis of this flight and tend to agree with Dan that the video footage of the aircraft's final vector seems to suggest pilot incapacitation - there are absolutely no perceptible or attempted flight corrections across any of the three flight control axes. Over the past 12 months, I've noted a marked increase in the number of videos showing drivers passing out behind the wheel. Not to mention professional athletes in their prime collapsing on the filed. If 'getting the proverbial vapors' is becoming the 'norm' across our community - then one would reasonably expect that this could also be problem afflicting both commercial and private pilots alike. Moreover, a situation that is almost guaranteed fatal consequences for Pilots flying solo.

[@vspeedsaviation]

In my Ifr training I got disorientated on a missed approach. Stopped trusting my instruments and started going off of feelings. Its real. Please be safe pilots. Great video. Sad day. i literally just flew into Montgomery couple days before this crash and the ceiling was low. I was vfr and found a break in the clouds. Its alot of mountains over there.

[@umami0247]

I guessing he just got so disoriented that he couldn't recover after coming out of the clouds. Truly a tragedy and God speed to those that lost their lives.

[@russellworman2899]

Juan thank you for the detailed analysis on this accident. I listened to the VasAviation recording and initially thought the pilot may have been experiencing some sort of incapacitation I just didn't connect it to spatial disorientation. Thoughts and prayers for all the families impacted in this accident.

[@billscott356]

I live in The Diego and that's got to be the best analysis I've seen. Thanks!

[@robrush54]

Oh God, that was 20 minutes of intense emotion. I felt the controller and pilot's fear and stress. The tunnel vision you mention, the blocking of radio traffic and not believing your instruments feels like a forgone conclusion that sadly, the pilot can't recover from. Maybe more and frequent training in spatial disorientation should be required after getting your instrument rating. I suspect a lot of pilots rarely fly in imc conditions after their check ride.

[@sbdreamin]

unfortunately, you can't really train for spatial disorientation, only how to avoid it. Once you got it, you better pray a co-pilot plops down in that other seat real quick so you can hand over the controls.

[@wendyvic4046]

@@sbdreamin so true. Have been in that situation before and it is a harrowing experience.

[@garymiller5624]

Hard to train for "spatial disorientation" other than make aware of and to not look out but focus on the instruments exclusively;the onset can be triggered very innocently but is very insidious. Cannot induce it most of the time in training even though we try with unusual attitudes and partial panel. Certificates can be misleading and in this case probably irrelevant; recurrent time with an instructor is important but few do it. When you get any upgrade you have met "minimum standards". Just remember that!

[@ronjarboe2825]

Why not re engage the auto pilot ??

[@garymiller5624]

@@ronjarboe2825 He was already "behind" the aircraft and would have to "reset" the autopilot for the "approach" phase. Realizing this causes stress,panic, impairment and impossible work load which got him behind to begin with. We lose "control" on the ground when we panic;no tolerance for that inflight

[@rebekahleonard2884]

Thank you, Juan. You've told us so often....so grateful for QRP. It will be such a blessing as we review these accidents in hindsight to have done all we can to limit their damage. I've been out of hospital 48 hrs after a very rough experience with the virus. It is a pleasure to find your videos! Journey mercies.

[@TheGospelQuartetParadise]

They have been revisiting this crash on local news on the one-year anniversary of this tragedy. Rest in Peace to Dr. Das, and to Steve Kreuger.

[@robvarn]

KZbin needs to get their head out of their poterior. Your videos make the world of aviation safer. We need to learn from the mistakes of others, lest we make them ourselves.

[@alclark6124]

Surgical, informative analysis, as usual, Mr. Browne. I figured that if the pilot broke out of a 1,700' (AGL) cloud base at 260 knots (300 mph) at a 45° (from horizontal) down angle the pilot would have approximately 7.73 seconds to recognize the situation, take corrective action(s) (other than pulling the yoke in a panic), and mitigate any other adverse situational involvements that resulted from his original actions which lead him and his aircraft into duress. That's not a lot of time (and in the middle of serious predisposed inertia) to make it right. Probably another major influencing factor was the visual terrain/horizon. When the pilot broke out of the clouds he would not have had a perfectly flat horizon to lock his vision onto to make corrections. This unfolded in an area of irregularly rising and falling horizontal terrain (reference). On a relative side note, I found that VNE on the 340 is around 234 knots (269 mph) give or take the exact sub-model or mods.

[@Iamthelolrus]

2 of my favorite channels working together.

[@jamesbillington3308]

Thanks Mr. Juan, been looking forward to your report.

[@davechalmers6309]

Thank you for your great work on all the videos you post.

[@donaldschweitzer1573]

Thanks for your analysis. Juan . I live in San Diego when that PSA plane went down I just been sleeping after getting done with my shift when I awoke boom and I guess shake of the ground I didn't what happen but I felt it and I live about 6 to 8 Miles away from impact of those two planes. I didn't remember if I got from the the news or from some of my coworkers at who were very close to area. It very scary about those planes in San Diego. I feel sorry for the pilot & UPS driver and all people in that neighborhood. My the pilot & UPS rest in peace. I hope the neighborhood can get back in the Grove living a full of life again.

[@robpeters5204]

So in the end, he was in a power dive. Such a sad story. Thank you for a great explanation Juan. This is thee best news source.

[@Tyler-Hagan-Racing]

Thanks for the update and analysis, Juan, it's always appreciated. Great work by ATC when they realized the pilot was in trouble, very sad that they weren't able to save this pilot's life.

[@vernicethompson4825]

Thank you for your analysis. This is a real tragedy, because not only the doctor but a well respected UPS driver lost their lives. And several people lost their homes. My uncle owned a Cessna for many years, without incident. So I always feel bad when a Cessna, a highly regarded plane for decades, is destroyed in an accident. And I can feel for those who lost their homes so suddenly.

[@jakejacobs7584]

When I was a young man and at my first job in aviation, the aircraft had Janitrol heaters mounted out in the wings. Night, single pilot, B-18 all weather flying. When the Janitrol ran you cracked your side window because you could smell fumes. If it didn't start on the second try you just went without for fear that if it lit with the fuel loading from previous attempts you may blow your outer wing panel off. All that with steam gauges and coffee grinder NDB's. Finished my career on up-to-date Boeings but what memories... Those were the days, flying in the winter wearing a snowmobile suit and scraping the inside of the windows....This is not a forgiving profession for the unprepared and prayers for his family and all those affected

[@dalen.8413]

With a 1700 (2100 msl) foot broken ceiling and a 2800 (3200 msl) foot overcast, what I see as an instrument instructor and retired ATCS is the aircraft joins the final just as he breaks out of the overcast. So he’s between layers, and asks ATC if he’s cleared for runway 23. His altitude readout goes as low as 2400 and climbs up to 3400 (back into the clouds) before the fatal descent. I would venture that when he descends out of the overcast layer he may have seen the airport and that is why he asks if he is “cleared for runway 23?” as he begins to drift to the right. I’ve seen many low time instrument pilots and instrument students when they break out of the clouds push the nose down to get clear of the clouds. Thank you for the information, Juan.

[@Miles321Neo]

I personally witnessed two C421 crashes in the 80’s at Addison Airport (scanner). 1st was Oct 1984, N121BT, flown by an attorney, single pilot Day VFR. Plane sat in our hanger (Cessna Dealership) and rarely flew. He took off and lost the left engine. Climbed out to several hundred feet, got the hard part right, secured the dead engine, flew downwind, and turned into a close in left base (about a mile) into the dead engine to runway 15. He got slow, and when he dropped the landing gear, speed decayed below Vmca, and he spun in and crashed. Died in a fireball. The 2nd C421 crash, N6VR, involved a well renown Dallas neurosurgeon. He bought a 421A from our company, upgrading from a Beech Baron if I recall. He refused any flight training in it or hiring a copilot to familiarize himself with it. I remember our sales broker saying he was an idiot. He loaded his family up in the 421 for a trip to Colorado. He put no luggage in the nose baggage compartment, all luggage went in the back. On Takeoff, since the CG was way out of the aft limit, the plane pitched up and at 400 feet, stalled, into a spin, crash, fireball, in the grass next to runway 15. His wife & 2 kids trusted him. He was day VFR as well. I witnessed both mishaps from my office. Back then, aviation insurers, were not where they are today on high performance piston twins, training requirements & simulators. We don’t know what happened here with this C340, but we have an idea. For those non professional pilot’s who fly these high performance twins & singles for their business or pleasure, IFR, learn from this tragedy, the many tragedies, & my story. Kobe is another example. Had a 2nd pilot been on Kobe’s Bell 222, he would probably be alive today. He certainly could’ve afforded one. Hire a copilot when weather is IFR. It may save your life. I’ve been a Captain for 27 years, currently flying the Airbus 319, 320, & 321. Fly the plane 1st!!! Aviate, navigate, then communicate, in that order. It may save your life. Find a young, new, CFI, MEI to help you on your journey if IFR is in your forecast. And take your time when something goes wrong. Never rush. We have a threat & error management model at my airline. You have two choices, either time, or no time. The only threats really that require “no time” , get on a runway, are dual engine failure, security (terrorist), Medical or uncontrolled fire onboard. Rest of the thousands of possible mechanical problems can be worked through methodically. The lawyer I mention should have climbed to a higher altitude, flown a 30 mile downwind, flown at a speed well above Vmca, accomplished the Cessna C421 engine failure checklist, and he would have survived with a story to tell. The neurosurgeon should have hired one of us to fly with him for the 1st 50 hours or so, making sure he was proficient with all aspects of the C421 weight & balance, emergency procedures, checklist usage, peculiarities of the C421….etc. My experience with some of the ultra wealthy pilots who purchase these types of planes feel they are bullet proof & sadly the NTSB files are full of accidents that say otherwise….Miles

[@wickedcabinboy]

This was so sad to watch. Thanks for breaking it down in understandable terms for us. That he had a commercial rating seems to have been no help.

[@orrinrussie4288]

Thank you Mr. Brown for all you do to promote aviation safety. This latest tragic accident in San Diego is indicative of a very intelligent person getting himself into a situation beyond his control. As you well know this scenario has been played out many times before with the same tragic ending and in my opinion it begins with naive overconfidence, a complex aircraft and a situation that rapidly spirals out of control . How do you train someone for that. My heart goes out to the families involved and appreciation to you for your dedication in promote aviation safety.

[@Doogsa-dl8sc]

I am not involved in aviation however I appreciate your clear explanations that will benefit the many who are in aviation.

[@kennyj4366]

Thank you Juan for the very comprehensive breakdown. Prayers to his family.

[@mdleweight]

Easy to see how the confusion and panic can build quickly. Sounds like the John Kennedy Jr. situation, even though his issue was not clouds but total darkness over the ocean.

[@timberwoof]

I found out about this when VASAviaton's video showed up in my feed. I was surprised that I hadn't seen your analysis, Juan. I looked for your channel in my subscriptions list and it was gone. WTF, KZbin? I resubscribed. This is weird.

[@Beargizmo3]

I am a non-pilot saddened by the loss of life, but fascinated by the investigation of accidents. I very much appreciate your presentation and interpretation of the data. Thank you very much

[@winglogic377]

I visited the crash site yesterday, had work in the area. It was such a sad site to see as I walked down the block towards the cordoned off area there were 8-10 UPS drivers standing shoulder to shoulder and quietly paying their respects to one of their own.

[@overtheedge123]

Juan. I’m really thankful for your evidence based analysis. This is a great resource for pilots even though the content is sobering. Although I am not current as a pilot, I am using your videos to learn. I have studied the effects of stress on the body and your analysis is spot-on. I will add that as the stress level increases, you not only lose your hearing but also, fine motor skill, short term memory, coordination, heart rate skyrockets, and you get tunnel vision. I live about two miles from the N9156Z crash in August 2021. You were on that crash very quickly. (Mooney M20M that had its left elevator torn off in flight and both wings folded up). It will be interesting to see, if the NTSB ever issues a report, what the findings are for that one. I think your analysis showed a likely cause.

[@brucerideout9979]

Aww, man. My favorite airplanes keep auguring in. I love the 340, and Citation, Bonanza, and Malibu. I'm Canadian, 63, all thru the 70's 80,s I studiously read Flying magazine. Loved Richard Collins writing. Had his book, Instrument flying. Never had the financial health to reach my lofty goal of a Malibu or twin. It so hurts every time an aircraft and occupants are lost. Many close friends :gone

[@zublacus]

So sad for all involved. Beyond any doubt, he was confused before the crash. Thanks for your always wonderful analysis. YT demonetization for analyzing properly crashes is very disappointing and does NOT help others in the future. Some pilot is watching this now, and life could be saved because of this.

[@desertdog185]

I’m really struggling with KZbin and their total lack of understanding the difference between responsible journalism and the ridiculous bullshit they are eager to allow. Thanks for informative, educational videos that do so much to improve safety in the aviation community!

[@drzeus7044]

You’re the only JUAN I go to for aviation news, no Juan else

[@CEOsario]

Great job...As a pilot (low hour)...You very eloquently and without any insult...You explained the accident that would help any good pilot trying to be better...to get better...Thanks again for sharing...

[@m118lr]

Tragic incident once again Juan...Prayers for the Drs family. Excellent review/analysis as always...

[@doctorkiltz]

thank you as always for this helpful video. prayers to the families of all lost.

[@chenowth4seater]

Juan, I was 4mi from the crash. There was no marine layer. Clear blue sky with some puffy white clouds. Look at the video on Kathryn's report of the people being rescued from the house. You can see blue sky's and puffy clouds. And wind! The door bell cameras make it look hazy but the phone camera show a bright sunny day.

[@AZVIDS]

Juan, you should do an analysis of the 182 crash in San Diego 2/2018 (if you have not). Their is video of the plane climbing, descending full power in and out of clouds, another spatial disorientation crash in that same area. I think the Dr in the 182 was flying early in am in marine layer from Gillespie field. The video is very instructive as you can see how disoriented the pilot was…RIP.

[@mrjaycam18]

RIP to both parties involved and all of their loved ones. This one seems strange. He’s flown the route several times, albeit probably not in much IMC. But he definitely knew the route and you would think his plane. Damn shame we keep ending up gathered here analyzing these things lately. Fly safe everyone.

[@billg7205]

Seem he may have been having some medical issue.

[@psw4763]

Thank you for explaining what was transpiring between the pilot and controller. By looking at the picture you get a full sense that the plane came straight down onto the truck and skidded onto the homes. Very sad ending indeed. The two people on the ground were rescued by neighbors and treated for 3rd degree burns.

[@briggsahoy1]

Thank you for your report, RB, Canada.

[@steveturner3999]

Thanks Juan for this summation of what is known at this point. Professional as always. Sorry KZbin is giving you such grief. Unfortunately General Aviation is giving you multiple opportunities to share your expertise and your informed observations. Hopefully your insight and observations will help other pilots and help to lessen future events such as these. Thanks for all you do to keep aviation safe.

[@christinewunder1672]

As always Juan, good breakdown of a sad event...

[@abuhamza1970]

So sad, such a terrible tragedy but serves as a great reminder of just how difficult it is to pilot an aircraft successfully 🥲

[@moxievintage1390]

Thank you Juan! 🙏🏽✈️ Another talented physician lost….. Off subject: I live in Washington; have you commented yet on the indictment of the Boeing pilot? Wow. Lots of activity on this 🤐!

[@rickcline2762]

Another great report. It is a shame that You Tube feels the need to threaten you when you are providing the flying and non-flying public with timely information and analysis about these unfortunate incidents.

[@sylviaverrill6681]

Juan, Jon V. here. Well done! Love watching you video’s…

[@joefouts1025]

Look at it from a different perspective: he breaks out just before the intercept (the ceilings and fix altitude say that's likely). He sees the runway, knows he has to jog right to get on final for 23. So he turns right while configuring for landing, and asks ATC to confirm he is cleared for 23. Instead of questioning, ATC somewhat rudely tells him to go missed, which puts him back in the clouds in a turn, and starts feeding new vectors. Total change in attitude and configuration required, which is a huge workload. Spatial disorientation follows. Everyone is praising ATC but they didn't do him any favors until it was way too late.

[@MrScubacat]

At what point on the 28 approach do you start circle to land? He was about 10 miles out when he crossed back a crossed 28 ils.

[@joefouts1025]

@@MrScubacat In my experience, whenever you call field in sight they will break you off and clear you for the visual on the other rwy. I don't know of any approaches that require you to fly the ILS to MDA before you can break off. That's way more dangerous since you are maneuvering for a different runway while low and slow. Much safer to break off the minute you are VMC. Circle to lands are somewhat of an informal approach, just used to get you in the ballpark of the right rwy, using another rwy ILS. If he broke out and was looking for the runway visually, he likely was not prioritizing the localiser so it's easy to overfly. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, the only reason to ask if he is cleared to 23 is because he's maneuvering to 23 (unless he's completely confused, but up to that point he was just fine, albeit a bit timid and behind).

[@cieloaltoa3405]

Thank you for the info and work,I love your videos ! 😉👍

[@timkis64]

finding one self in that position would be a terrifying experience.knowing only you can correct it & the results if you dont.meanwhile your running out of precious time to do so.the ultimate horrific situation to find yourself in.

[@mariuskuhrau761]

Thanks for posting the video, so sad. I do have a question for you, I saw a clip on KZbin about a USAF RC-135 U aircraft approaching RAF base Mildenhall and the landing was absolutely horrific and almost a disaster. It appears that the left wing dropped just or after landing and touch the tarmac, but the pilot recovered the aircraft very quickly. Do you know what the purpose of this aircraft is?

[@odualumna4766]

I was waiting to hear your take on this tragic accident because I knew you would give clear, concise information as always. No fluff, just facts.

[@juiliethakur37]

It was so distressing to just hear that moment when ATC asked to climb to 5000 and Dr. Das read his meter both times the one 2,500 and the last 2,000, before the chopper reported the crash. There's a similar crash a few years ago, that a pilot had described related to disorientation. He too said the same thing about trusting the instruments more than the "feeling" during these brain fogged seconds. I have a massive amount of respect for pilots on our planet. Please don't overwork yourselves. Trust your NG decisions at all times. You all are some of the "extremely valuable humans" on Earth, in my heart. Other than surgeons and ATCs, of course. Jobs that require level-headedness while being hypervigilant to multiple factors.

[@GentleResponseLLC]

So, so tragic. The big lesson for me here to make absolutely sure I am familiar with the approach I am going to do, AND be prepared for possible circle to land instructions and so on! I get the impression that he has flown this route and path enough times that he "should" have been pretty familiar with it and just about everything about it.

[@rolf_pedersen]

Speaking from a wealth of experience, I thought the pilot sounded intoxicated. Probably, disoriented in the sky could sound similar. Thanks for the videos!

[@restojon1]

Having grown up in a part of London that has a very large Indian and Pakistani community I'm quite used to hearing even the strongest of their accents and I thought that he sounded possibly somehow intoxicated or impaired. That said, it could just be the way he was talking on the radio whilst doing a million things all at once in a small angry flying metal tube

[@JohnMGreiner]

Task saturation sounds very similar, your brain is literally distracted with such a stressful load your not used to, speech is not a priority and very abbreviated. If you ever started training for IFR in actual IMC with your instructor and ATC yelling commands at the same time you’d understand.

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

He was clearly behind the aircraft and understandably nervous, but otherwise he sounds like half my family, with that same characteristically rapid, under-enunciated, even slightly slurred-sounding Indian-with-a-twist-of-American accent that I’ve heard my entire life.

[@creigiihtondenynis39]

Spatial D is a real phenomenon. Sad out come for this pilot! Great information and break down Blancolirio!

[@PaulJakma]

Does the RAIDR47 pilot have a British accent? That's a US military C-130 though? RAF personnel on secondment?

[@nelsonmorales6831]

You reported of the causes not being and leaving it up to us to speculate the possibilities of what caused this fatal crash, knowing about the current circumstances that all of us pilots and others are being faced with to decide.

[@chuckeberth4370]

He ran into the situation of weather and to much airplane. Mere seconds from the time he departed controlled flight to impact. Rest in Peace to the deceased and players to their families. Juan another very informational report. Thanks.

[@jackoneil3933]

Outstanding analysis Juan!

[@davidd6635]

Thanks Juan, as Always. RIP Doc and Steve and prayers for others injured. Seeing the panel and older AP makes me wonder if vacuum pump failed, then leaning to the side to check the copilot AH...if different, which one to believe is correct in IMC...

[@nwbackcountry5327]

A broken heater, spatial disorientation, and a fear induced heart attack? It will be interesting to see what the investigation discovers.

[@dennisduran8500]

This channel is giving advice to save lives and KZbin wants to censure him. What a shame.

[@markg7963]

Great job Juan. Thoughts and prayers to all affected. Ifr flight is not something to take lightly, and a fragile skill. Be careful out there all evaluating your own abilities.

[@dmickey1000]

OUTSTANDING ANALYSIS!!! WELL DONE SIR!!!

[@bobby_D]

Wow. Great info from this channel. I was paying attention to this when it happened on the flight radar app and it’s very tragic and very interesting at the same time. Again just great info here and really helps people like me understand how this could happen. Thank you

[@donalddodson7365]

Excellent analysis without the usual ignorant fluff of mainline medi as. Thank you!

[@flotz31]

Appreciate your insight. Not a pilot but fascinated with the process. Keep up the good work.