At the time of the accident, the automated METAR reported quarter-mile visibility and a 200-foot overcast ceiling. [Adobe Stock]
Key Takeaways:
An experienced, instrument-rated pilot fatally crashed his Bonanza in dense fog at an airport with conditions well below IFR minimums.
The pilot had a history of regularly landing at this specific airport in sub-minimum conditions, often using improvised approaches that descended below published minimums.
During his third landing attempt, the pilot descended below the runway elevation, striking terrain just short of the threshold; the NTSB attributed the crash to VFR flight into IMC and a "hazardous anti-authority attitude," highlighting a disregard for safety rules based on overconfidence.
In days of yore, the phrase “a doctor in a Bonanza” referred sarcastically to a pilot of unwarranted arrogance. But I’m dating myself. Perhaps the equivalent today is a hedge fund manager in a TBM.
In this case, however, it really was a doctor, and it really was a Bonanza.
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Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.
