PIPER PA-28-181 near Great Barrington, MA — 2010-06-28

Probable cause

The pilot's attempted visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed his home airport at night, in fog, and returned on an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance. He stated that the return flight was routine and the air traffic controller cleared him for the approach into the airport. The pilot then canceled his IFR clearance, descended visually, and entered a left traffic pattern to land. The pilot stated that he entered the downwind leg for a "tighter than normal" pattern to avoid the fog at the approach end of the runway; however, global positioning system data revealed a spiraling descent in the vicinity of the base leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot stated that not seeing the terrain surrounding the airport while having the airport in sight lulled him into the belief that he was on or near glide path when, in fact, he was much lower, causing the controlled flight into terrain. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Airports 15 miles north and 10 miles west each reported ceilings less than 100 feet, and visibility less than a half mile, and witnesses surrounding the airport described the fog as heavy with visibility of less than 100 feet.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have maintained IFR clearance instead of canceling it.

NTSB coding

• Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · Approach-VFR pattern base
• Spatial Disorientation

Evidence available

• Video
• Photos
• 13 docket documents

Docket documents13

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Witness Statementsinterview
• Bershire Aviation Fueling Recordsother
• Engine Log Excerptother
• Global Positioning System Device - Attachment 1 (csv tabular data)other
• Global Positioning System Device - Attachment 2 (csv tabular data)other
• Weather Records: KPSF METARsother
• Photograph #1 - Front View of Airplane Wreckage (FAA)photos
• Photograph #2 - Backside View of Separated Left Wing (FAA)photos
• Photograph #3 - View of Damage to the Left Side of the Airplane (FAA)photos
• Photograph #4 - View of Firewall Damage (FAA)photos
• Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Reportreport
• Post-Accident Engine Run Videovideo

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