Pilot Impacts Hay Bales During Precautionary Landing After Spatial Disorientation in Fog (N119AE)

Accident Summary

While en route to a vehicle accident, a pilot encountered instrument flight conditions when the aircraft entered fog. The pilot activated the night scanner light in an attempt to improve visibility in the dark. As a direct result of flying into fog and turning on the night scanner light, the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and failed to maintain aircraft control. To address the loss of control, the pilot elected to execute a precautionary landing. During this landing attempt, the aircraft impacted a large row of hay bales.

Pre-Flight and Weather Information

Prior to takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing. The forecast indicated marginal visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with periods of instrument flight conditions expected in the area. At the time of the accident, local weather was addressed by a SIGMET (No. 23C). The source does not specify whether the pilot received or acted upon this SIGMET.

Key Facts

• The flight was in response to a vehicle accident.
• The pilot encountered fog, leading to instrument flight conditions.
• Activation of the night scanner light contributed to spatial disorientation (as stated in the source: "as a result of flying into fog and turning on his night scanner light, the pilot experienced spatial disorientation").
• The pilot lost control of the aircraft and then chose to perform a precautionary landing.
• The aircraft struck a large row of hay bales during the landing.