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NTSB Report
August 15, 1988 · Cessna 172K · N1183M
Island Falls, ME
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Island Falls, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N1183M
Operator
Cyr Qwik Stop
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA218
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT FLEW INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND COLLIDED WITH WOODED TERRAIN DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS. THE PILOT HAD CONTACTED THE BANGOR AFSS WHILE EN ROUTE AND STATED HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE MAINTAIN VFR FLIGHT. THE AFSS COULD NOT ESTABLISH A DF STEER ON THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT BOSTON CENTER. CENTER DID ESTABLISH RADAR CONTACT. VECTORS AND MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES WERE ISSUED FOR A ROUTE TO HOULTON. WHILE EN ROUTE TO HOULTON, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISORIENTED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S POOR IN-INFLIGHT DECISIONS AND PLANNING AND FAILED TO FOLLOW ATC DIRECTIVES TO MAINTAIN VFR. THE PILOT CONTINUED VFR INTO IFR CONDITIONS AND COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT FLEW INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND COLLIDED WITH WOODED TERRAIN DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS. THE PILOT HAD CONTACTED THE BANGOR AFSS WHILE EN ROUTE AND STATED HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE MAINTAIN VFR FLIGHT. THE AFSS COULD NOT ESTABLISH A DF STEER ON THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT BOSTON CENTER. CENTER DID ESTABLISH RADAR CONTACT. VECTORS AND MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES WERE ISSUED FOR A ROUTE TO HOULTON. WHILE EN ROUTE TO HOULTON, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISORIENTED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN1183M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCyr Qwik Stop
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC