At 2055 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain following a loss of control, fatally injuring the non-Instrument-rated Private pilot and three passengers. The airplane was destroyed. Night instrument conditions prevailed. Before takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing during which VFR was not recommended for his route of flight. After takeoff, the pilot obtained flight following but soon reported having trouble maintaining outside visual contact and controlling the airplane; he requested help getting back to the airport. Controllers attempted to assist the pilot back to the departure airport; however, the radar data depicted the airplane entering a series of turns before radar contact was lost. Weather at the accident site was poor, with rain, mist, fog and low clouds.
December 21, 2005, Gilroy, Calif. / Cessna 172
At 2055 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain following a loss of control, fatally injuring the non-Instrument-rated Private pilot and three passengers. The airplane was destroyed. Night instrument conditions prevailed. Before takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing during which VFR was not recommended for his route of flight. After takeoff, the pilot obtained flight following but soon reported having trouble maintaining outside visual contact and controlling the airplane; he requested help getting back to the airport. Controllers attempted to assist the pilot back to the departure airport; however, the radar data depicted the airplane entering a series of turns before radar con...
Key Takeaways:
- A non-instrument-rated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured in a loss-of-control accident in night instrument conditions.
- Prior to takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing indicating VFR flight was not recommended for his planned route.
- After takeoff, the pilot reported difficulty maintaining outside visual contact and controlling the airplane, requesting assistance to return to the airport.
- Controllers attempted to guide the pilot back, but radar contact was lost after the airplane entered a series of turns amidst poor weather conditions including rain, mist, fog, and low clouds.
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