Aircraft Violated Washington D.C. ADIZ and Crashed During Return to Departure Airport (N9130N)

Incident Overview and Clearance Procedures The pilot was attempting to depart from an airport located within the Washington D.C. Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Before departure, the pilot contacted an Automated Flight Service Station to file an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. During the conversation with the briefer, the pilot was asked if he was aware that he was departing an ADIZ. He responded in the affirmative. During a later conversation with line service personnel, the pilot was reminded that he should contact air traffic control via telephone prior to departing in order to obtain a departure clearance. ## Radio Communications and Radar Data Shortly after departing, the pilot contacted air traffic control via radio and advised that he would like to obtain a clearance. The controller informed the pilot that he was violating the ADIZ, and that he should land at the departure airport immediately. The controller then told the pilot, “just turn it off, land, and call us on the phone for your clearance.” The pilot acknowledged the controller, and no further communications were received. Radar data showed that after turning onto a downwind traffic pattern leg, the airplane then turned toward the runway and descended. The final radar target was observed at 300 feet, in the vicinity of the accident site. ## Witness Accounts and Wreckage Examination Witnesses described watching the airplane in the airport traffic pattern, and that it was traveling very fast and closer to the runway on the downwind leg than normal. The airplane entered a steep left descending turn back towards the runway before it disappeared from view, and the sounds of impact were heard. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Pilot History Review of the pilot’s FAA airman file revealed that about 2 1/2 years prior to the accident flight, the accident pilot had acted as pilot-in-command of another flight, which operated within the Washington, D.C. ADIZ without following the operating requirements and procedures specified at the time.