Accidents
NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Caused Fatal Citation Crash
According to the NTSB, pilot spacial disorientation caused the May 2021 fatal crash of a Cessna Citation 501 near Smyrna, Tennessee.
Radar plot of N66BK on May 29, 2021
(Radar plot: NTSB)

Loss of control during climbout in clouds and the subsequent crash of a Cessna Citation 501 on May 29, 2021, was due to the pilot’s spatial disorientation, according to the recently published NTSB final report. The crash killed the instrument-rated commercial pilot, a rated pilot passenger, and five other passengers.

After departing northbound from Smyrna Airport (KMQY) in Tennessee at about 10:53 a.m. in IMC on a planned Part 91 IFR flight to Palm Beach, Florida, the departure controller instructed the pilot to turn right heading 130 degrees. However, the pilot did not acknowledge.

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