Incident Overview
A pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) on a cross-country flight encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and an area of severe weather. Air Traffic Control (ATC) had previously advised the pilot of adverse weather conditions along the route. The aircraft was equipped with a digital color weather radar system, enabling the pilot to view weather returns. At one point during the flight, the pilot communicated to the controller that he was observing the weather on his radar display.
Sequence of Events
Upon entering the IMC and severe weather, the pilot attempted to reverse the aircraft's course. Shortly after initiating this maneuver, the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot possessed an instrument flight rules (IFR) qualification, but his logbook indicated only 11 hours of actual instrument flight time.
Pilot Background
The pilot was rated for instrument flight, although his recorded experience in actual instrument conditions was limited to 11 hours. No further details about the pilot's total flight time or recent experience were provided in the source.
Commentary
The source does not offer an analysis of causal factors or contributing elements. It notes that the aircraft was equipped with weather radar and that ATC had issued a weather advisory prior to the incident. The pilot's action of reversing course after entering the weather is described, but no determination is made regarding the effectiveness of the radar or the pilot's decision-making process.
Conclusion
The factual account concludes with the aircraft impacting the ground following an attempted course reversal while in IFR conditions and severe weather. The official report does not assign a probable cause or draw conclusions beyond the stated events.