LEE VINING, CA, USA
N2137G
CESSNA 182A
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS REPORTED OVERDUE WHILE RETURNING FROM A SHORT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO AN AIRPORT LOCATED IN AN AREA OF LITTLE GROUND ILLUMINATION DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN CONSISTED OF MOUNTAINS TO THE RIGHT AND A LAKE TO THE LEFT OF THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE OVER-FLEW THE RURAL AIRPORT ON A MOONLESS NIGHT AND MADE A LEFT TURN TO ENTER THE DOWNWIND PORTION OF A VFR APPROACH. THE TERRAIN AND LIGHT CONDITIONS PRODUCED DARK AND FEATURELESS VISUAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED THE NEXT DAY AND HAD STRUCK TERRAIN 1/2 MILE FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT IN A HIGH SPEED DESCENDING LEFT TURN.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION DURING A NIGHT APPROACH.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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