On December 15, 1984, a Piper PA-30-160 (registration N7329Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an instrument approach, attributed to his lack of recent instrument flying experience. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed while being vectored for an instrument landing system approach at Albuquerque International Sunport. The pilot had received his instrument rating less than six months prior.
What happened
The flight was en route from Fort Worth, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, when the pilot decided to divert to Albuquerque. The aircraft crashed while being vectored for an instrument landing system approach to runway 8 at Albuquerque International Sunport.
The investigation
Examination of the pilot's credentials revealed that he had received his instrument rating slightly more than six months before the accident. During that time, he had logged 24.1 hours of actual instrument flight time but had completed only one instrument approach since receiving his rating. Prior to the accident, the pilot had been flying for more than three hours on instruments.
Findings
The pilot's limited recent experience with instrument approaches and extended duration in instrument meteorological conditions were significant factors in the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an instrument approach, attributed to his lack of recent instrument flying experience.