At about 14:25 central time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T crashed in the Gulf of Mexico near Gulfport, killing the pilot. IMC prevailed and a VFR flight plan from Tampa to New Orleans had been filed but not activated. Gulfport Approach Control, which was providing flight following, received a land line call from New Orleans Approach Control recommending that the flight not try to continue VFR. Gulfport relayed the message to the accident pilot and recommended a left 180-degree turn to avoid weather. The pilot acknowledged, but radar returns showed the flight entered a right turn and started a high rate of descent.
March 03, Gulfport, Miss. / Piper Turbo Lance II
At about 14:25 central time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T crashed in the Gulf of Mexico near Gulfport, killing the pilot. IMC prevailed and a VFR flight plan from Tampa to New Orleans had been filed but not activated. Gulfport Approach Control, which was providing flight following, received a land line call from New Orleans Approach Control recommending that the flight not try to continue VFR. Gulfport relayed the message to the accident pilot and recommended a left 180-degree turn to avoid weather. The pilot acknowledged, but radar returns showed the flight entered a right turn and started a high rate of descent....
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper PA-32RT-300T crashed in the Gulf of Mexico near Gulfport, killing the pilot, while flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
- Air traffic control (ATC) advised the pilot against continuing VFR due to weather and recommended a 180-degree left turn to avoid it.
- Despite acknowledging ATC's recommendation, the pilot initiated a right turn and began a high rate of descent immediately before the crash.
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