IFR Cross-Country Flight Ends in Circling Descent (N210HC)

Flight Progression and Communications The pilot, holding an instrument rating, was conducting an IFR cross-country flight. During the flight, he asked air traffic control to turn him back on course and, if possible, assign a lower altitude. The controller subsequently cleared the aircraft to descend and maintain 17,000 feet. The pilot then requested a further descent to 13,000 or 11,000 feet. The controller cleared the aircraft to descend to 13,000 feet. After acknowledging the clearance, the pilot said he would see if the aircraft could work its way through the clouds. ## Transition to Visual Flight The pilot later reported that he had found a large opening and intended to cancel the IFR flight plan. He stated that he believed he could make a large circle and get under a scattered cloud layer. The controller approved the request to cancel the IFR flight plan. ## Loss of Radar Contact and Wreckage Location The aircraft was in a circling descent when radar contact was lost. The wreckage was located approximately 45 miles from the last radar contact. ## Pilot Experience The pilot's logbook showed 37.3 hours in actual instrument meteorological conditions and 82.0 hours in simulated instrument meteorological conditions. According to the pilot's son, the pilot would file IFR flight plans and operate within the IFR system to remain current with IFR procedures and controller phraseology, but generally avoided flying in actual instrument meteorological conditions.