Background
A private pilot, who was not instrument rated, filed an IFR flight plan and experienced difficulties throughout the flight. While being vectored to the final approach course for sequencing, his flying became erratic.
Flight and Conditions
The pilot was operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) when he reported pitot ice and instrument problems. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain in a 95-degree nose-down attitude. Post-accident investigation revealed that the icing level was well above his altitude and that all instruments were functioning normally. The pilot's description of the problems was inconsistent with how the two separate instrument systems operate.
Pilot Qualifications
The pilot had recently failed his instrument written examination and had accumulated a total of 39 hours of simulated instrument time. He was a private pilot without an instrument rating, yet he filed and flew under IFR.
Aircraft Equipment
Evidence from the investigation also revealed that the aircraft was being operated with an inoperative automatic direction finder (ADF) and deficient VHF navigation radios.
Conclusion
The accident occurred following a loss of control in IMC conditions by a non-instrument rated pilot who was being vectored to an approach. The pilot's reported difficulties with pitot ice and instruments were not substantiated by post-accifact examination.