SUNBURG, MN, USA
N8432X
CESSNA 172C
THE PILOT RECEIVED SEVERAL WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND WAS ADVISED OF A SEVERE COLD FRONT AND THUNDERSTORMS IN AN AREA ON HIS ROUTE. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HE WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS "TOTALLY OBSCURED." SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE REPORTED HAVING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING A HEADING AND THAT HIS GYRO AND MAGNETIC COMPASSES WERE SPINNING. RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST SOON AFTER THAT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE VACUUM PUMP REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE. A DISASSEMBLY OF THE DIRECTIONAL GYRO REVEALED SIGNS OF WEAR IN THE UPPER AND LOWER GIMBLE RING BEARINGS WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ERRATIC OPERATION OR EXCESSIVE PRECESSION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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