Incident Overview
A police officer, serving as pilot of a public-use airplane, lost control of the aircraft during a night cross-country instrument flight. The incident occurred when the pilot attempted to execute a turn and descent in an area affected by turbulence generated by wildfires burning on the ground.
Pilot's Final Transmission
According to reports, the pilot's last radio transmission stated that he was in a 'deadman's spin'. No further communications were received.
Investigation Findings
Investigators compared the pilot's personal logbook with the airplane's flight log and discovered discrepancies between the two records. As a result, the exact amount of flight experience the pilot had accumulated at the time of the incident could not be determined. The investigation did not specify the type of aircraft, registration, date, location, or any details regarding occupants or damage.
Turbulence from Wildfires
The area of turbulence was directly attributed to the presence of wildfires on the ground. The pilot lost control while maneuvering in these conditions.