PECOS, TX, USA
N711OW
PIPER PA-28-180
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT DEPARTED ON A NIGHT FLT WITH WX REPORTED AS 300 AND 2 IN FOG AND DRIZZLE. ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER IN A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD TOLD A FRIEND THAT AFTER DEPATURE HE WOULD ACQUIRE AND THEN FOLLOW THE LIGHTS ALONG A NEARBY INTERSTATE HWY TO HIS DESTANTION. THE FRIEND, WHO WITNESSED THE DEPARTURE, STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF HE LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT'S ROTATING BEACON DUE TO THE LOW VISIBILITY. THE PLT HAD A REPUTATION FOR FLYING IN MARGINAL OR WORSE WX AND HAD BEEN VIOLATED FOR THE SAME ON ONE PREVIOUS OCCASION. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REVEALED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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