VFR into IMC · NTSB ERA18FA197
Piper PA32R — Lincolnton, NC
| Date | July 24, 2018 |
| Location | Lincolnton, NC |
| Aircraft | Piper PA32R |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night/Dark · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Initial climb Loss of visual reference |
| Pilot age | 63 |
| Pilot total time | 624 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Spatial disorientation-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Personality/attitude-Motivation/respond to pressure-Pilot - F
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Below VFR minima-Decision related to condition - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Below VFR minima-Effect on personnel - C
What happened
The noninstrument-rated private pilot and one passenger departed on a personal cross-country visual flight rules flight in dark night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that included 1 1/2 statute miles visibility in mist and an overcast cloud layer 200 ft above ground level. The pilot did not obtain an official weather briefing before departing on the flight, and what preflight weather information he may have obtained could not be determined. Onboard data indicated that the airplane departed, entered a climbing left turn to a downwind leg for the runway, and about 1 minute after takeoff, entered a rapid left turning descent that continued to ground contact.Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
The restricted visibility due to the dark night and instrument conditions was conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, and the airplane's flight track was consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation. According to a family member, the pilot stated that he was going to attend an air show and had planned to leave early in the morning for "a window of good weather." Despite not being instrument rated, the pilot likely chose to depart due to his self-induced pressure to complete the flight as planned. It is likely that the pilot's decision to depart into IMC resulted in his spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.