VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN20FA003
Lancair Legacy — Bixby, MO
| Date | October 6, 2019 |
| Location | Bixby, MO |
| Aircraft | Lancair Legacy (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 65 |
| Pilot total time | 1,590 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 1,590 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low ceiling-Decision related to condition
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low visibility-Decision related to condition
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Drizzle/mist-Decision related to condition
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Spatial disorientation-Pilot
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
What happened
The pilot departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight into marginal VFR weather conditions, and likely encountered instrument flight rules (IMC) conditions shortly thereafter. Radar data indicated that the airplane was flying south-southwest between 2,300 ft mean sea level (msl) and 2,800 ft msl, then entered a descent to about 1,525 ft msl before initiating a climbing, 270° left turn. Witnesses near the accident site reported a thick, low cloud cover and estimated that the airplane was flying within a few hundred feet of the ground. Radar contact with the airplane was lost at a groundspeed of 42 kts and altitude of 1,975 ft msl about 24 minutes after departure. Examination revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal airplane and engine operation.
Although the pilot was instrument rated and the airplane was equipped for instrument flight, there was no evidence in the pilot's logbook to indicate that he was instrument current or proficient. There was no record of the pilot receiving preflight weather information from an official source. It is likely the pilot’s lack of instrument currency and proficiency with his VFR flight into IMC conditions resulted in disorientation. The radar track data, sound witness reports, and wreckage distribution is are consistent with a loss of control and the restricted visibility conditions were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation.