Swearingen SA227 Metro III crash, Dec 5, 2016 (1 killed)
Swearingen SA227 Metro III accident on December 5, 2016 near Camilla, Georgia, United States with 1 fatality. Cause: NTSB: The pilot's decision to...
- Date: December 5, 2016
- Aircraft: Swearingen SA227 Metro III
- Location: Camilla, Georgia, United States
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: NTSB: The pilot's decision to initiate and continue the flight into known adverse weather, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control and an in flight breakup. The operator's risk assessment process for night cargo flights was not carried out.
A Swearingen SA227 Metro III cargo flight operated by Key Lime Air left Panama City at night for Albany despite thunderstorms en route. After air traffic control suggested a diversion, the pilot turned back toward his alternate in turbulent, heavy precipitation, the aircraft entered a steep right turn near 3,500 ft and broke up in the air near Camilla, Georgia. The pilot was killed.