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Bypassing The Alternate

‘Taking a look’ at your destination’s weather conditions works best when you’re proficient and well-rested. 

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Cessna 182 crashed, fatally injuring two, during a night ILS approach in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) after the pilot disregarded multiple ATC warnings about flightpath deviations and continued an unstable approach.
  • The NTSB cited the pilot's deviation from the final approach course and his decision to continue the approach despite warnings, along with a lack of experience in night IMC, as probable causes.
  • The incident underscores the critical importance of diverting to a visually clear alternate when an instrument approach becomes unstable or challenging, rather than continuing an unmanageable approach, especially when fatigued or in deteriorating weather.
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Long cross-country flights are my favorite. The cruise portion is relatively easy, with plenty of time to plan ahead, monitor weather, etc., as the world literally slides by underneath. Going places on my own schedule with friends and family is one of the main reasons I learned to fly in the first place.

But cross-countries do have their drawbacks. The need for more-detailed flight planning is obvious, along with the uncertainty of what one might find in the way of services and fuel availability on landing at an unfamiliar destination. It’s a lot different than bouncing around the traffic pattern or zooming off to a nearby familiar airport for a hundred-dollar hamburger. And then there’s weather.

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