PHENIX CITY, AL, USA
N9319C
PIPER PA-28R-201
THE PRIVATE PILOT OBTAINED HER INSTRUMENT RATING THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM APPROACH INTO THE AIRPORT TERMINATED IN A MISSED APPROACH. WHEN GIVEN A FREQUENCY CHANGE, JUST PRIOR TO REACHING THE OUTER MARKER, SHE REPLIED THAT SHE WAS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR, AND NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSION WERE MADE BY THE PILOT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED OUT OF THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AND A STEEP LEFT BANK. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVALED NO MECHANICAL NOR INSTRUMENTATION MALFUNCTIONS.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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