On August 28, 1998, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N2931Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Beaver Dam, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while flying in instrument meteorological conditions without an instrument rating. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot without instrument rating flew into IMC on a positioning flight, losing control and crashing the aircraft into a lake. The airframe and engine showed no pre-existing mechanical issues.
What happened
The flight was conducted as a positioning maneuver to transport the aircraft to a facility for its annual inspection. During the en route portion of the journey, the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Lacking an instrument rating, the pilot was unable to maintain visual reference with the ground or horizon. The aircraft subsequently entered uncontrolled flight and impacted a lake.
The investigation
Following the recovery of the wreckage, investigators conducted a detailed examination of both the airframe and the engine. The inspection revealed no evidence of preexisting anomalies or mechanical failures that would have contributed to the accident prior to the impact. The aircraft was mechanically sound at the time of departure.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while flying in instrument meteorological conditions without an instrument rating.
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