VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN20LA127
Piper PA28R — Pleasant Plain, OH
| Date | March 19, 2020 |
| Location | Pleasant Plain, OH |
| Aircraft | Piper PA28R |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night/Dark · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-IFR initial approach Turbulence encounter |
| Pilot age | 42 |
| Pilot total time | 1,507 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 300 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weather planning-Pilot
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Convective turbulence-Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Spatial disorientation-Pilot
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained
What happened
The instrument-rated pilot was on the final segment of an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight in dark night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). After being cleared for an RNAV approach to his intended destination, the pilot made several course deviations inbound to the initial approach fix. The pilot informed air traffic control (ATC) that he was experiencing autopilot problems, "heavy turbulence," and "heavy downdrafts." Radar and automated dependent surveillance-broadcast data showed the airplane enter a rapidly descending left turn. ATC issued a low-altitude alert to the pilot and advised him to climb to 4,000 ft immediately. The pilot did not respond, and there were no further communications from the pilot. Radar contact was lost as the airplane descended through 1,400 ft.
The airplane wreckage was found severely fragmented amidst a heavily wooded area. Examinations of the airframe, flight controls, and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The airplane was flying in an area of a stationary frontal system, which resulted in an extensive area of IFR conditions, low ceilings, low visibilities, drizzle, and rain. The weather in the accident area was conducive to low-level windshear and convective turbulence at the time of the accident. There was no record of the pilot obtaining a preflight weather briefing, and his flight plan did not list an alternate airport. The pilot’s report of heavy turbulence and downdrafts was consistent with the existing weather conditions. It is likely when the pilot encountered the turbulence and wind shear in dark night conditions, he became spatially disoriented and lost control of the airplane.