Cessna TR182 Safety Record

The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of control due to spatial disorientation.

The pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was instrument meteorological conditions.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the mist and low cloud ceiling.

the pilot's encounter with mountain wave activity with downdrafts and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of adverse weather, and the failure of the National Weather Service to issue an adequate weather advisory of possible severe turbulence.

The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and his failure to execute a timely go-around maneuver resutling in the aircraft's impacting a parked fuel truck well clear of the runway safety area. Contributing factors were the strong crosswind/gusty wind conditions and the parked fuel truck.

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain clearance of the transmission wires. Also causal was inadequate preflight planning. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude and airspeed when the abrupt maneuver was made and the high tension power lines.

the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation resulting in the airplane descending and colliding with water. A factor in the accident was a dark night .

The pilot's failure to refuel en route resulting in fuel exhaustion, and his inadvertent entry into a stall condition during the emergency descent. Contributing factors were dark night conditions and mountainous/hilly terrain.

The pilot's improper IFR procedure, failure to maintain course alignment, and use of a nonapproved handheld GPS receiver for navigation during flight in actual instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the low clouds and the pilot's use of prescription drugs not approved for use by the FAA.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance over a power line crossing the river, resulting in collision with a static wire at the top of the crossing structure. Factors included the static wire, and inadequate marking of the static wire.

failure of the pilot to attain a proper touchdown point for landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's attempt to land at the wrong airport, uphill slope of the runway, high density altitude, and rising terrain beyond the end of the runway.

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above water, while maneuvering over the ocean during a dark moonless night. Related factors were: darkness, the pilot's probable illusion of altitude, spatial disorientation, and lack of instrument experience.

pilot impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs, and failure of the pilot(s) to maintain obstacle clearance, during an intentional low altitude flight manueuver (low pass under a bridge).

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE PILOT BECOMING DISORIENTED IN THE DARK, NIGHTTIME, INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND TO THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE FLYING IN SUCH CONDITIONS.

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.