Incident Summary
A pilot reported that during a cross-country flight, he attempted to make a 180-degree turn after realizing he was getting too close to an airport. A highway patrolman stated that the pilot told him he became disoriented during the turn, cut the power to land, and did not have control of the airplane.
Details of the Event
According to the reported account, the turn was executed in hazy visibility. The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which led to the inside wing of the airplane stalling. The pilot subsequently failed to recover from the induced spiral.
Pilot Actions
The pilot recognized his proximity to the airport and initiated a 180-degree turn to increase separation. During the maneuver, he reported losing orientation and reducing engine power with the intention of landing. The highway patrolman's account confirms the pilot's communication about the loss of control.
Contributing Factors
The hazy visibility conditions were noted as a factor in the pilot's spatial disorientation. The pilot's loss of situational awareness during the turn resulted in a stall of the wing on the inside of the turn, and the absence of recovery led to a spiral descent.