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:

An experienced, instrument-rated pilot, flying a well-equipped aircraft in manageable IFR conditions, fatally crashed after attempting and failing six approaches, despite repeated assistance and suggestions from air traffic control.
The incident underscores the critical importance of a pilot's proficiency with their aircraft's systems, having a robust Plan B, and knowing when to divert or abandon a failing approach rather than stubbornly continuing into disaster.

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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.