Aircraft Crash Due to Spatial Disorientation in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (N120JB)

Incident Overview and Radar Data The aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions when it was tracked on radar. Prior to the crash, the flight path included climbing and descending turns. The aircraft made a final descending turn before it was lost from radar contact. The crash site was located approximately 0.09 miles from the last radar contact, at which point the aircraft was at an altitude of 2,000 feet above ground level. The wreckage indicated the aircraft impacted the terrain in an attitude of approximately 90 degrees nose down. ## Post-Crash Examination and Findings A thorough examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engines, propellers, and airplane systems was conducted after the crash. The investigation found no evidence of pre-crash failure or malfunction in any of these components. The official probable cause was determined to be the pilot's failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the aircraft entering a descending turn and crashing into terrain.