On June 25, 2000, a Cessna 210J (registration N3396S) was involved in an aviation accident near Sumner, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue flight into known convective weather without appropriate instrument rating, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot without instrument ratings flew into convective weather, resulting in a crash into a bean field that destroyed the aircraft with no reported injuries.
What happened
The aircraft was engaged in a cross-country flight when it impacted a bean field, resulting in the total destruction of the airplane. At the time of the accident, weather radar indicated the presence of an area of convective activity. A witness on the ground reported hearing a plane flying at low altitude during a heavy downpour.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage was conducted to determine the mechanical status of the aircraft prior to impact. The inspection revealed no anomalies in the airframe or systems that would suggest a pre-impact failure.
Findings
The pilot was not instrument rated at the time of the operation. The combination of convective weather and the lack of instrument certification likely contributed to the loss of control or situational awareness leading to the impact.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue flight into known convective weather without appropriate instrument rating, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.