VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN19FA078
MOONEY M20K — Katy, TX
| Date | January 31, 2019 |
| Location | Katy, TX |
| Aircraft | MOONEY M20K |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 69 |
| Pilot total time | 250 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Spatial disorientation-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low visibility-Decision related to condition
What happened
The non-instrument-rated private pilot received a weather briefing before departing on the visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight, which included the presence of moderate to heavy precipitation, including some thunderstorms, near the destination airport. The pilot was advised that VFR flight was not recommended and that he should seek additional weather information as he neared his destination.
Weather observations and satellite imagery indicated that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed in the vicinity of where the pilot began making multiple course changes and at the accident site. It is likely that the pilot encountered rain, possibly heavy rain, during the final portion of the flight. Weather observations near the destination airports, AIRMETs, and visible satellite weather images all indicated that the pilot encountered IMC en route. Examinations of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction.
The restricted visibility conditions present in the area were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, and the airplane's maneuvering and spiraling descent are consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation. It is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation during an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.