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 under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), killing the pilot.
- The flight was operating with a filed but unactivated Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan, despite the prevailing IMC.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) advised the pilot against continuing VFR and recommended a specific turn to avoid weather.
- The pilot acknowledged ATC's advice but subsequently initiated a different turn and a high rate of descent before the crash.
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