A family's tragedy unfolded as a plane crashed in Nashville, Tennessee, killing all five members aboard.
According to York Region, an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that pilot error was the probable cause behind the devastating accident.
On the evening of March 4, 2024, a Piper PA-32RT plane carried the Dotsenko family from Brampton-Caledon Airport in Ontario. Their journey included stops for refueling in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Mount Sterling, Kentucky, aiming for Nashville as their final destination.
The family tragically consisted of Victor Dotsenko, the 43-year-old pilot, his wife, and their three children, all residents of York Region. Their flight was interrupted near Nashville's runway when tragedy struck approximately two miles from their intended landing point.
Witnesses recalled the plane's engine making alarming sputtering noises, which were likely signs of the impending failure.
The Technical Side of the Tragic Flight
Investigations revealed that the Piper PA-32RT, despite being mechanically sound, suffered from improperly set controls. The NTSB pinpointed a mispositioned fuel selector, a critical error that starved the engine of needed fuel.
"This setting would starve the engine of fuel and was likely the result of the pilot changing the fuel selector handle in preparation for landing," explained an NTSB report. The disruption led to a shutdown as the plane approached Nashville, preventing it from reaching its landing stretch.
According to flight records and the NTSB, Victor Dotsenko was experienced with a total of 200 flying hours, although only 43 hours were in the Piper PA-32RT involved in the crash.
Final Moments in the Air
Victor Dotsenko managed to contact air traffic control during the critical moments, reporting that his engine had ceased operating and his uncertain prospects for reaching a safe landing area. "my engine turned off, I’m at one thousand, six hundred. I’m going to be landing, I don’t know where," Dotsenko communicated.
Shortly before the crash, as the aircraft struggled, he admitted over the radio that making the runway was unlikely. "I’m too far away," he declared, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The aircraft, while aligned with the intended runway, ultimately had to bypass the airport. This decision came too late in the crisis, contributing to the fatal outcome.
Reflection on Aviation Safety Measures
Considering the circumstances surrounding the crash, the NTSB report emphasized the need for proper management of aircraft controls. The mismanagement by an otherwise competent pilot brought attention to the often-overlooked aspects of flight preparation and emergency management.
While mechanical failures were ruled out, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the implications of small oversights in aviation. Training on fuel management and emergency procedures is crucial, especially for less experienced pilots.
The aviation community and families affected continue to deal with the aftermath of this preventable disaster, hoping for lessons that enhance safety for future flights.
