BOWMAN, ND, USA
N7243Y
PIPER PA-30
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT/MECHANIC DEPARTED SECOND IN A FLIGHT OF TWO COMPANY AIRCRAFT, TRAVELLING TO AN FAA MECHANICS SEMINAR. THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT, IN THE LEAD AIRPLANE, REPORTED 'SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, I FLEW INTO SOME LIGHT SNOW...I STARTED TO LOSE GROUND LIGHTS, SO I TOLD JARED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND...HE SAID HE WAS TURNING AROUND, TOO.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. THE CHIEF PILOT STATED IT WAS A DARK NIGHT, AND DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS INHIBITED AIRBORNE SEARCHES. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AFTER INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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