Beechcraft A-36 | N66519

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Spatial Disorientation – Day, during a sunset, low visibility IMC approach over water. The aircraft impacted the water at 06:43:25 PM local time, well before sunset. The accident pilot had ben cleared for the RNAV GPS 09 approach to KJKA and became distracted and/or disoriented during the turn to the east. The aircraft attempted to join final but became erratic in both heading and altitude. The aircraft impacted the water significantly north of the final approach course and off heading. The FAA record indicates that the accident pilot had obtained his instrument rating on February 19, 2025.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be prepared to fly by reference to instruments only, and not be distracted or influenced by visual cues outside the aircraft, especially when operating over water in low visibility situations.