What happened
On 8 September 2020, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigation exercise in a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BHFI, departing from Blackpool Airport. The flight was intended to be a visual flight rules (VFR) mission covering several waypoints, including Barnoldswick and Lancaster. During the flight, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather and performed several maneuvers to avoid cloud cover.
While navigating the Wenning Valley, the pilot attempted to head toward Lancaster to find better conditions. During this phase, the aircraft inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Following training protocols, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to regain visual references. However, during the turn, the pilot became spatially disoriented, and the aircraft descended from approximately 1,600 feet to nearly 1,175 feet.
In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot performed additional turns. During these maneuvers, the aircraft flew in close proximity to Ward’s Stone, an obstacle with an elevation of 1,837 feet. While attempting evasive action, the right main landing gear struck the ground. The impact caused damage to the windscreen and the landing gear, and the passenger door was blown open, creating significant cabin noise. The pilot managed to declare a 'MAYDAY' and, with assistance from air traffic control and another aircraft, successfully returned to Blackpool Airport.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight planning and experience. It was noted that the pilot had completed the technical requirements of the PPL course but had very limited experience flying solely by instruments. The investigation also reviewed the flight logs, which revealed that the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) for certain legs of the flight had been recorded incorrectly. While one error was corrected, the planned altitude for the accident leg remained at 2,000 feet, which was 500 feet below the required MSA.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the inadvertent entry into IMC while attempting to avoid weather.
- The pilot's lack of experience in instrument conditions contributed to spatial disorientation.
- The aircraft was flying below the required MSA.
- The pilot failed to recognize the overall deterioration of weather conditions in the area.
- Confirmation bias played a role, as the pilot expected weather to improve based on earlier observations, leading to a failure to execute a timely return to base.