A PA30 pilot flew into IMC while VFR.

2009-10 · NASA ASRS report 854919

Date: 2009-10 · Aircraft: PA-30 Twin Comanche · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|inflight-event-encounter-vfr-in-imc|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

A PA30 pilot flew into IMC while VFR.

Narrative

When I took off the ceiling was 2900' AGL. I used flight following and asked the controller how things looked ahead and he said that I would be in the clear with higher ceilings in seven miles. A little later things were starting to look gloomy ahead and I looked behind me and realized the ceiling was falling all around me. I had heard of this; but never witnessed it till now. Very shortly after that; I was in solid clouds and fog. I had listened to ZZZ ATIS and it said 2900 ceiling and I was descending through 2400 MSL and still in a solid white out. I contacted the controller and asked if this was a brief fog or white out or how long through this. The Controller asked if I was equipped and capable of IFR and I responded; 'equipped; capable but not certified'. They then warned me to not descend below 2;200 MSL for terrain. The Controller asked if I would like an ASR approach and I said yes. I was forwarded to the next Controller who vectored me to the airport. I descended below 1400' before I saw the airport and landed. I wanted to make a report that I checked the weather before I took off and the weather changed drastically during my route of flight and was beyond my control. I fly several times a week and never take chances.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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