In a report issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), a fatal plane crash that occurred in Tennessee in 2021 was blamed on the pilot’s “spatial disorientation.” The crash resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a local spiritual leader as well as her husband. The report suggests the crash might have been avoided if the pilot had better used the plane’s instrumentation during takeoff and climb.

The Facts of the Crash

The plane crash occurred on May 29, 2021, shortly after takeoff from the airport in Smyrna, TN. The plane was a Cessna 501, which was headed towards Palm Beach, FL and carried seven people. Shortly after takeoff, the plane began to experience a series of climbs and descents, until ultimately beginning a steep descending turn that caused the plane to crash into Percy Priest Lake.

What Caused the Crash

The NTSA has attributed the accident to a phenomenon known as somatogravic illusion, a type of spatial disorientation that can occur when people fly without reliable or available visual references. In effect, the pilot could no longer tell if they were going up or down, causing them to believe the plane was pointed up when it was really pointed down at the ground. As a result, they went into a deep descent that they were unable to recover from, resulting in the accident.

What Could Have Prevented the Crash

The NTSA’s report states that the accident might have been prevented if the pilot had relied more on the plane’s internal instruments to determine their altitude and orientation. These instruments exist precisely to prevent these kinds of accidents, since a pilot cannot always rely purely on their own senses to safely control a plane. Had the pilot used these tools during takeoff and climb, the crash might never have happened.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.