Accident Sequence
The pilot was on a cross-country flight and was receiving vectors for an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The approach controller instructed the pilot to descend to 2,800 ft mean sea level (msl) until established on the localizer and cleared the flight for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 28R, then to circle to land on runway 23. About one minute later, the controller noted that the airplane appeared to be drifting right of course and asked if the pilot was correcting. The pilot responded, “correcting, 22G.” Approximately nine seconds later, the pilot transmitted, “SoCal, is 22G, VFR runway 23.” The controller responded that the airplane was not tracking on the localizer, canceled the approach clearance, and instructed the pilot to climb and maintain 3,000 ft. As the pilot acknowledged the altitude assignment, the controller issued a low altitude alert and provided the minimum vectoring altitude in the area. The pilot acknowledged shortly after.
Aircraft Performance and Communications Breakdown
Recorded advanced dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane at that time on a northwesterly heading at 2,400 ft msl. Over the next two minutes, the controller issued multiple instructions for the pilot to climb to 4,000 ft, all of which the pilot acknowledged; however, ADS-B data indicated the airplane remained between 2,500 ft and 3,500 ft. The controller then queried the pilot about his altitude, and the pilot responded, “2,500 ft, 22G.” The controller issued another low altitude alert and advised the pilot to expedite the climb to 5,000 ft. No further communications were received from the pilot despite multiple queries from the controller.
Descent and Impact
ADS-B data showed that the airplane had begun to climb and reached a maximum altitude of 3,500 ft before it began a descending right turn. The airplane remained in the right descending turn at a descent rate of about 5,000 ft per minute until the last recorded target at 900 ft msl, located about 1,333 ft northwest of the accident site. The airplane and two houses were destroyed. The pilot and the driver of a UPS truck were killed. Two other people on the ground were injured.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause for the accident is loss of control due to spatial disorientation.