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Initially, pilots fly in Visual Flight Rules, flying in clear weather and using visual references as guidance. Many will obtain their Instrument Flight Rules ratings, by flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions like clouds, heavy rain and low visibility. The NTSB determined that the pilot of a Piper PA-32 Cherokee made the deadly decision to continue VFR into IMC conditions, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. Despite recommendations to stay grounded in the adverse weather, the pilot chose to continue his flight home from Yakutat, Alaska and ultimately crashed into a mountainside.
On Oct. 16, 2022 the pilot of a Piper Cherokee returned to Yakutat Airport (YAK) after setting off on a cross-country flight due to poor weather conditions. After landing the pilot called a friend and discussed the weather, telling him he was tired of flying in poor weather conditions and wanted to fly to the Birchwood Airport (ABV) in Bircwoo, Alaska where he could leave his plane and continue his trip on a commercial airline. His friend recommended he stay put until the weather cleared. The pilot was given two weather briefings informing him that the VFR flight was not recommended on his planned route due to the IMC. The pilot left on his flight, communicating with flight service while in the air. He asked for an update on the weather in the Anchorage area and during the conversation, the communication abruptly ended and an emergency locator transmitter was activated.
An eyewitness saw the plane flying in and out of the clouds before it disappeared into the clouds near the crash site. A search was initiated and the plane wreckage was found along a steep mountainside at 1,866 ft mean sea level, roughly six miles southwest of Cordova Municipal Airport (CKU). The wreckage was not recovered until 11 months after the crash. Much of the damage was consistent with the impact at about a 45-degree angle. Many of the components were exposed to the elements for nearly a year and had rusted.
At the time of the crash, wind was from 110 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 24 knots and visibility of 10 miles or greater. There was light rain and a broken cloud ceiling at 1,000 ft above ground level, a broken ceiling at 1,400 ft agl, an overcast ceiling at 2,400 ft agl, temperature at about 51 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point about 48 degrees Fahrenheit and an altimeter setting of 29.50 inHg. The peak wind recorded was from 130 degrees at 27 knots. There was a nearby TAF issued and valid for a 21-hour period, which included the time of the crash.
The 62-year-old pilot held a second-class medical certificate and required glasses for near vision. His most recent FAA medical examination was on March 8, 2022 and he reported taking no medications and not having any medical conditions. The toxicology report revealed the antidepressant amitriptyline and its active metabolite nortriptyline in the pilot's blood at therapeutic levels. The NTSB said that three days before the deadly crash, the pilot underwent an FAA Part 135 flight test evaluation in the Cherokee. The overall result was deemed unsatisfactory for preflight inspection, inflight powerplant failure, system malfunctions, emergency landing, instrument approach, short field landing and judgment.RELATED STORIES:Pilot 'mistakenly flew into weather' before deadly crash, NTSB saysAm I Still VFR? The difference between VFR/IFR and the options in betweenInstrument checks— what you need to look for from VFR to IFR
Based on available information, the NTSB said the circumstances of the crash were consistent with the pilot's decision to fly VFR into IMC, resulting in CFIT, naming this the probable cause for the crash. In November, a young pilot flying in a Piper Cherokee was flying VFR when the weather conditions changed, resulting in him flying erratically through the clouds, reporting Mayday and issues with his instruments. The pilot only had 66 hours of flight time and was not instrument-rated. He mistakenly flew into IFR conditions and crashed, killing him and destroying his plane.
It is possible to fly VFR even if there are clouds, like when a pilot flies VFR-over-the-top. Many pilots will gain their IFR rating to fly in most weather conditions. Using instruments while flying can save pilots when weather conditions are adverse or change midflight. The pilot in this report flew VFR despite warnings that this was a danger, resulting in a deadly crash.