On October 9, 2005, a Cessna 172RG (registration N6085R) was involved in an aviation accident near Union City, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his spatial disorientation. The low ceilings and the dark night were contributing factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A non-instrument rated private pilot was fatally injured when the airplane impacted terrain and burned. Weather stations reported instrument meteorological conditions with low ceilings and reduced visibility. No evidence of pre-impact failure was found.
Accident
The accident airplane was destroyed when it impacted the ground and subsequently burned. The airplane was being operated by a non-instrument rated private pilot who was fatally injured during the accident.
Preflight Actions
According to available records, the pilot did not receive a weather briefing for the flight. Additionally, no flight plan was filed with air traffic control or any flight service station.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather reporting stations near the accident site recorded instrument meteorological conditions with low ceilings and reduced visibilities.
Aircraft Examination
An on-scene examination of the airplane and its systems did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact failure.