One year after a fatal plane crash near I-40 in West Nashville, Tennessee, the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the cause of the accident. After a thorough investigation, the NTSB found that the crash was likely due to pilot error, which resulted in the engine failing mid-flight. This shows the importance of both experience and good judgment in ensuring the safe operation of airplanes and other aircraft.

What is Known About the Plane and Pilot

On March 3, 2024, the pilot, Victor Dotsenko, was flying a CF-BWH Piper PA-28, tail number C-FBWH.  On board the plane was the pilot’s wife Rimma, as well as his three children. The pilot reportedly had approximately 200 hours of flying experience prior to the flight, as of ten days prior to the accident.

The Events Leading to the Accident the Accident

According to the NTSB, the plane departed at 12:22 CST from Brampton-Caledon Airport (CNC3) in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and was headed towards John C Tune Airport (JWN). However, at around 7:43 PM CST, the pilot began to report issues with the engine, and overflew the airfield, requiring him to fly back around. During the go-around the engine reportedly shut down, leading the plane to crash. All five people on board died as a result.

The Results of the Investigation

After completing their investigation, the NTSB found that the cause of the accident was likely the result of pilot error. More specifically, it appears as though the pilot moved the fuel selector at some point in the flight, but failed to ensure it was properly seated. This caused an inadequate amount of fuel to be provided to the engine, causing it to lose power and the plane to lose altitude, ultimately resulting in the crash.

Lessons to Be Learned

This incident shows how even a relatively minor mistake can prove to be potentially deadly when it comes to piloting an aircraft. Not only can it potentially help to avoid issues like the one that caused the crash, it can also help them better deal with a problem when issues like these arise. It is also a reminder of the importance of performing regular maintenance on aircraft, which can help prevent major mechanical failures like the one that happened in this case.