What happened
The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departure from Albuquerque. The briefer did not recommend visual flight rules (VFR) operations for the planned route. Despite this advisory, the pilot departed at 20:05 hours in N5247V, a Piper PA-28 aircraft.
At approximately 22:00 hours, the pilot contacted Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) to report that he was descending from 9,000 feet to 7,500 feet to avoid weather conditions. Shortly after this transmission, radar contact with the aircraft was lost.
The terrain in the area ranges from 7,500 feet to over 8,700 feet. The aircraft impacted the ground at an elevation of approximately 7,800 feet. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating.
The investigation
No mechanical examination was conducted as the aircraft was destroyed upon impact. Radar data confirmed the loss of contact shortly after the pilot reported descending to avoid weather.
Findings
The pilot's decision to continue VFR flight despite adverse weather and a negative briefing recommendation played a significant role in the accident. The lack of an instrument rating limited the pilot's ability to navigate safely in deteriorating conditions.
controlled flight into terrain was the primary factor leading to the loss of the aircraft.