In aviation meteorology articles we often focus on the big problems: thunderstorms, heavy fog, low ceilings, and icing, all of which are responsible for the majority of weather-related aviation accidents. But even the most seemingly benign weather sometimes gets the best of IFR-rated pilots. In this Wx Smarts article we’ll revisit one such situation that took place in March 2020.
The airplane in question was a Piper PA-28R Arrow that was returning to Ohio after a long trip to Oklahoma. At the controls was a 42-year old businessman, a native of Ohio, who was working in the banking and real estate field. He held multi-engine and airline transport ratings and had logged 1500 hours of flight time. He was also a qualified flight instructor in single-engine aircraft.
