Casualties unknown

1996-12-03: Cessna 177 (N30255) — Regan, ND

Regan, ND, US

On December 3, 1996, a Cessna 177 (registration N30255) was involved in an aviation accident near Regan, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather. Factors were clouds, the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his poor evaluation of the weather, and the encounter with unsuitable terrain for landing. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot who obtained a weather forecast in the morning for an afternoon flight encountered low clouds en route. After learning the destination had instrument conditions, he descended through a cloud hole, failed to locate visual conditions, and landed on unsuitable terrain.

Overview

A pilot conducting a flight encountered adverse weather conditions during the en route phase. The pilot had obtained a weather forecast in the morning for a flight that was initiated in the afternoon. While en route to the intended destination, the pilot encountered low clouds short of the airport.

Events

The pilot contacted the airport of intended landing and was informed that the existing weather at the airport was instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). In response, the pilot descended through a hole in the clouds in an attempt to locate visual meteorological conditions. However, the pilot was unable to establish visual conditions after descending. Consequently, the pilot made an emergency landing on terrain that was described as unsuitable for landing.

The report does not provide details regarding the aircraft type, registration, number of occupants, or any injuries or fatalities. The time of day, specific weather conditions, and involvement of air traffic control are not specified in the source.

Findings

The source does not state a probable cause for the incident. The reported facts include the pilot's actions in obtaining a weather forecast in the morning for an afternoon flight, encountering low clouds, calling the destination airport to learn of IMC, descending through a cloud hole, failing to locate visual conditions, and landing on unsuitable terrain.

Conclusion

No further analysis or conclusions are provided in the source. The report simply documents the sequence of events as described.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07140. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.