Says Controllers Received Insufficient Training In Recognition And Handling Of Emergencies

The estate of Michael M. Apfelbaum and his wife, Christine have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the FAA in connection with an accident which occurred September 4, 2015 that fatally injured the couple.

The Apfelbaums and Christine's father were aboard a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza attempting an instrument landing at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC when the accident occurred. Michael Apfelbaum was the PIC of the airplane. In its probable cause report, which is not admissible in court, the NTSB determined that the accident was likely caused by the pilot's spatial disorientation during the approach, but also said that the controllers lacked sufficient training to recognize and handle emergency situations.

The report said that "incorrect controller actions likely aggravated" the spacial disorientation. "The FAA training did not properly prepare the controllers involved in this accident to recognize and effectively respond to disorientation scenarios," the report states. The plane stalled and spun into the ground after a controller told the pilot to climb, according to the report. All three on board were fatally injured.

Penn Live reports that the estates are seeking unspecified damages in the suit, including lost earnings. The court documents indicate that controllers did not correct the pilot's incorrect reading of his heading, and his statement that he was disoriented was not recognized as an emergency. The suit contends that the controllers should have told him to level the wings and then climb out of the clouds.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Original report