Flight Planning and Weather Briefing
The pilot, who had logged 1,600 total flight hours (1,100 in his autopilot-equipped airplane), planned a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Lincoln, California, to Bend, Oregon. His passenger, also a pilot with over 300 hours, accompanied him. Neither pilot held an instrument rating. Prior to departure, the pilot received a weather briefing from Flight Service Station (FSS) that included flight precautions for mountain obscurement and thunderstorms. The forecast conditions along the route featured multiple cloud layers at 2,000 and 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl) with light rain showers. The pilot informed the briefer that he could fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Departure and Encounter with Clouds
The flight departed at 0740. The pilot requested and received VFR radar flight following from air traffic control. After encountering clouds, the pilot continued toward his destination while operating in IMC. At 0759:28, the pilot advised the Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) controller that he was in the clouds and using the autopilot. The controller responded by advising the pilot to "use caution and maintain VFR." The pilot reiterated that he was in the clouds and VFR flight was not possible. The controller again instructed the pilot to "maintain VFR" at 0800:51.
Controller Actions and Instructions
The controller then provided the pilot with directions to an airport ahead, but the weather conditions at that airport were unknown. The controller observed the airplane's altitude at 2,400 feet msl and was aware that the minimum instrument altitude for the area was at least 5,000 feet msl. According to the source, the controller failed to perform his first duty priority as specified in FAA's Air Traffic Control Order 7110.65 by not properly assisting the pilot in an emergency. Specifically, the controller provided a bearing to an airport south of the aircraft's position, which necessitated a course reversal turn while the aircraft was proceeding in IMC. The controller also neglected to issue a safety alert for terrain proximity or provide climb instructions to an area where VFR flight was likely possible.
Loss of Control and Impact
Seconds after receiving the turn instructions, the pilot became disoriented and lost control of the airplane. The aircraft impacted the underlying hilly terrain in an inverted attitude. No mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane.
Pilot Background and Toxicology
The pilot was 78 years old. About eight months before the accident, his high blood pressure (180/90) had been reduced with prescription drug treatment. Insufficient specimens remained for definitive autopsies or toxicological tests.
Probable Cause
null