1 fatality

2000-12-14: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (N120JB) — Gordon E. Montgomery — Belvidere, United States of America

Belvidere, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 14, 2000, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration N120JB) operated by Gordon E. Montgomery was involved in an aviation accident near Belvidere, United States of America during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot lost control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781203033Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into terrain after performing maneuvers in instrument meteorological conditions, leading to a loss of control.

What happened

While operating under instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft was tracked on radar performing a series of climbing and descending turns. During this period of maneuvering, the plane executed a final descending turn and subsequently disappeared from radar surveillance. The wreckage was located approximately 0.09 miles from the position where the last radar contact was recorded, at which time the aircraft was at an altitude of 2,000 feet above ground level.

Investigation of the impact site revealed that the aircraft type struck the terrain in a nearly 90-degree nose-down orientation. A detailed inspection of the engines, propellers, flight control systems, and overall airframe structure yielded no indications of mechanical failure or system malfunctions prior to the accident.

Findings

Analysis of the wreckage and flight data indicates that the aircraft was maneuvering in low-visibility conditions when the incident occurred. The investigation concluded that spatial disorientation caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, resulting in the fatal descent into the terrain.

Probable cause

The pilot lost control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions.