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Casualties unknown

Pilot Encounters Weather, Loses Turn Indicator, Receives No-Gyro Vectors from Non-Pilot-Rated Controller (N31953)

Pulaski, VA, US

On October 9, 1992, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N31953) operated by Tar Heel Railroad Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Pulaski, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot contacted FSS for destination weather and was advised VFR flight was not recommended. Later, he reported encountering 'soup' and lost his turn indicator. A non-pilot-rated ATC controller provided no-gyro vectors without minimum vectoring altitude. The airplane was observed descending at a 45-degree angle.

Sequence of Events

At 1930, the pilot contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) and requested the destination weather. He was advised that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended.

At 2017, the pilot contacted an air traffic control (ATC) center and reported that he "...ran into a little soup..." indicating he had encountered adverse weather conditions, likely clouds or fog.

At 2020, the pilot reported to ATC, "I've lost uh my turn indicator..." The controller on duty was not pilot-rated. In response, the controller began providing no-gyro vectors to the pilot, a method of guidance without reference to the aircraft's heading indicator. Additionally, the controller did not provide the minimum vectoring altitude to the pilot.

At 2028, the pilot reported, "...we're having some...trouble..." Shortly thereafter, the airplane was observed coming down at about a 45-degree angle.

No further information regarding the outcome of the flight is available from the source.

Spatial disorientation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Oct 1992 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Pulaski, VA?

A pilot contacted FSS for destination weather and was advised VFR flight was not recommended. Later, he reported encountering 'soup' and lost his turn indicator. A non-pilot-rated ATC controller provided no-gyro vectors without minimum vectoring altitude. The airplane was observed descending at a 45-degree angle.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Oct 1992 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N31953, operated by Tar Heel Railroad Inc., at Pulaski, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ACTIONS OF THE RADAR CONTROLLER WHOSE VECTORS AND NO-GYRO VECTORS…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15925. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.