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NTSB Report
August 5, 1990 · Cessna A152 · N4728A
Hyden, KY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hyden, KY
Aircraft
Cessna A152
Tail Number
N4728A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90LA072
THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FROM DUATS; HE WAS ASSISTED BY A CFI. FORECASTS WERE FOR A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS, MOUNTAIN OBSCURATIONS, AND IFR CONDITIONS IN KENTUCKY. FOR ABOUT THE LAST 30 MINUTES, EN ROUTE AND NEARING HIS DESTINATION, THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING ATC ASSISTANCE TO AVOID WX PAINTED ON ATC RADAR. AT 1437 THE PILOT RADIOED '...IT'S RAINING ON ME HEAVILY OVER HERE.' THE CONTROLLER ASKED IF THE PILOT COULD MAINTAIN VFR, AND THE PILOT ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY CONTINUING VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE THUNDERSTORMS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLYING PROFICIENCY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FROM DUATS; HE WAS ASSISTED BY A CFI. FORECASTS WERE FOR A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS, MOUNTAIN OBSCURATIONS, AND IFR CONDITIONS IN KENTUCKY. FOR ABOUT THE LAST 30 MINUTES, EN ROUTE AND NEARING HIS DESTINATION, THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING ATC ASSISTANCE TO AVOID WX PAINTED ON ATC RADAR. AT 1437 THE PILOT RADIOED '...IT'S RAINING ON ME HEAVILY OVER HERE.' THE CONTROLLER ASKED IF THE PILOT COULD MAINTAIN VFR, AND THE PILOT ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:37 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A152
Tail NumberN4728A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0