On August 5, 1990, a Cessna A152 (registration N4728A) was involved in an aviation accident near Hyden, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY CONTINUING VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot received a weather briefing, then while nearing the destination, ATC assisted in avoiding weather. At 1437, the pilot reported heavy rain and affirmed ability to maintain VFR, but no further transmissions were received.
Background
Before the flight, the pilot obtained a weather briefing through DUATS, with assistance from a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). The forecasts included a chance of thunderstorms, mountain obscurations, and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions in Kentucky.
Flight Progress and ATC Communication
During the last approximately 30 minutes of the flight, while en route and nearing the intended destination, the pilot received assistance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to avoid weather that was displayed on ATC radar. At 1437, the pilot radioed to ATC, stating, "...IT'S RAINING ON ME HEAVILY OVER HERE." The controller then asked whether the pilot could maintain Visual Flight Rules (VFR), to which the pilot replied in the affirmative. There were no further transmissions received from the pilot following that exchange.