Seriously Bad IFR Flight

Each year I pore through between 1500 and 2000 NTSB accident/incident reports searching for bonehead pilots who heed the sirens call of stupidity and invent creative means of destroying a variety of aircraft without killing anyone. To walk the Stupid Pilot Tricks red carpet requires a willingness to ignore good airmanship and, frankly, dance with fools.

pberge

Friday, September 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article details a fatal NTSB accident where an experienced, instrument-rated pilot, flying a well-equipped aircraft in IFR conditions, repeatedly failed six approach attempts, refused ATC suggestions for assistance or diversion, and ultimately crashed.
The case underscores the critical importance of pilot judgment, the dangers of stubbornness, and the refusal to admit when a plan isn't working, particularly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
Key takeaways for pilots include the necessity of having a Plan B (such as diverting to VMC), being willing to admit failure, and ensuring full proficiency with advanced avionics before relying on them in challenging IFR situations.

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Each year I pore through between 1500 and 2000 NTSB accident/incident reports searching for bonehead pilots who heed the siren’s call of stupidity and invent creative means of destroying a variety of aircraft without killing anyone. To walk the “Stupid Pilot Tricks” red carpet requires a willingness to ignore good airmanship and, frankly, dance with fools.

I’m never disappointed in the number of contestants, most of whom were flying VFR. It’s time, now, to expose some of the IFR antics up there. Caution: jaded detachment is strongly suggested.