Glassair Sportsman | N202AZ

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot departed from his local airport for a short scenic night flight, and flew approximately 9 nm on a 220 degree heading, and impacted directly into the wall face of rising terrain at approximately the 6,700 foot MSL level. The departure airport field elevation was 5,142 MSL, a net increase of almost 1,600 feet in that short time. The accident aircraft was new to the accident pilot, and it is likely that he did not fully understand the terrain electronic warning systems that were available to him for the flight.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of al aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to become more fully aware of terrain threats, and to be able to use electronic devices to show rapidly rising terrain features. The DTSB also recommends that all recreational pilots avoid night flight in the vicinity of this type of terrain.