On February 21, 1986, a Cessna 152 (registration N93567) operated by Wilkes Aviation Center,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Wilkesboro, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while operating in instrument meteorological conditions without appropriate instrument ratings. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot with no instrument flight experience flew erratically in IMC before crashing into trees on a hillside, resulting in damage to the aircraft.
What happened
Shortly after midnight, an aircraft was observed flying erratically over a town while instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed in the area. The student pilot operating the aircraft had no logged instrument flight time, and his passenger was not a pilot. During the incident, the aircraft entered a descending turn and subsequently collided with trees on the side of a hill.
The investigation
The student pilot was employed by the owner of the aircraft but did not have a scheduled flight for that specific date. The erratic flight path occurred in poor visibility conditions that required instrument flying skills, which the pilot lacked.
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while operating in instrument meteorological conditions without appropriate instrument ratings.
What happened in the 21 Feb 1986 Cessna 152 accident near Wilkesboro, NC?
A student pilot with no instrument flight experience flew erratically in IMC before crashing into trees on a hillside, resulting in damage to the aircraft.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Feb 1986 involved a Cessna 152, registration N93567, operated by Wilkes Aviation Center,inc., at Wilkesboro, NC.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while operating in instrument meteorological conditions without appropriate instrument ratings.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…