VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN12FA080
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20-C1 — Bern, WI
| Date | November 24, 2011 |
| Location | Bern, WI |
| Aircraft | DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20-C1 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute-descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 24 |
| Pilot total time | 176 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | 96 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low ceiling-Decision related to condition - C
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot
What happened
The non-instrument-rated pilot checked the weather prior to the night cross-country flight. Two other pilots, who individually discussed the weather conditions with the pilot, reported that the weather appeared to be deteriorating for his intended route of flight. The accident pilot stated to the other pilots that he would "scud run," or fly below the weather, if he had to. Weather conditions at the departure airport were clear, but deteriorated to instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight. Based on the weather information, the pilot likely flew into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and lost control. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about 22 miles from the destination airport. Conditions at the destination airport, which was the nearest weather observation station, around the time of the accident included 3-mile visibility with mist and an overcast ceiling at 500 feet. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.