On December 23, 1986, a Cessna 310N (registration N4137Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Savannah, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot became spatially disoriented during the approach and allowed the aircraft to turn nearly 90 degrees off course and descend below decision height. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an ILS Runway 9 approach, the aircraft disappeared from radar one mile from the runway and impacted short and left of centerline. The pilot became spatially disoriented, causing a 90-degree course deviation and descent below decision height.
Approach and Radar Loss
During an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 9, the aircraft vanished from radar when it was approximately one mile from the runway threshold. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in a level attitude with the landing gear extended. The impact location was about half a mile from the runway end and roughly one-quarter mile to the left of the runway centerline. The aircraft was on a northerly heading at the moment of impact.
Pilot and Instructor Statements
Both the pilot and the certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the aircraft had been turned to the right in an attempt to align with the runway centerline.
Spatial Disorientation
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation during the approach. This disorientation led the pilot to allow the aircraft to deviate from the intended course by nearly 90 degrees and to descend below the decision height.
Probable cause
The pilot became spatially disoriented during the approach and allowed the aircraft to turn nearly 90 degrees off course and descend below decision height.