The instrument-rated pilot was positioning the Cessna 172L in preparation for an annual inspection. The flight was conducted under night visual flight rules (VFR) however, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed along the route of flight.
The pilot reported that the cloud ceiling at the departure airport was about 700 feet above ground level (AGL).
The pilot inadvertently flew into clouds while en route and remained in instrument conditions for about 10 minutes.
During the final approach to the airport in Cleveland, Texas, the plane descended below the clouds, but the pilot was unable to locate the airport and “saw only pitch black” with no visual references.
The airplane hit trees shortly before the pilot intended to initiate a go-around. It subsequently came to rest nose down in a wooded area.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.
A Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) pertaining to the destination airport indicated that the runway lights were unserviceable during the time of the accident flight.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.
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This January 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
From the article:
“A Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) pertaining to the destination airport indicated that the runway lights were unserviceable during the time of the accident flight”
Wish there was a way to weed out the stupid pilots causing the destruction to beautiful airplanes and causing the insurance rates to go up before they do stupid things! If you’re a VFR pilot don’t fly unless you have 6 miles and 2000 foot ceiling day time. One way to staying alive! It’s evident that CFI’s need to spend more time teaching how to make good decisions around flying.
While I agree with your sentiment 100% as stated in the article, the pilot was instrument rated which makes his decision to depart VFR at night on IMC conditions even worse. I expect instrument trained pilots to show better aeronautical decision making skills.
Were the unserviceable lights on the notam list. Seems to me that would have been a reason to not attempt the flight.
Agreed!!!