Beech A36 N6036U accident near Lidderdale, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to initiate the flight in marginal weather conditions and his loss of aircraft control.

NTSB analysis

The pilot contacted flight service stations on three occasions prior to the accident flight and obtained weather briefings for the visual flight rules (VFR) flight. During each of the weather briefings, the pilot was informed that VFR flight was not recommended due to instrument meteorological conditions that existed along the proposed route. Despite this information, the pilot departed for the flight. The airplane subsequently impacted a farm field about 62 nautical miles from the departure airport, about 1-1/2 hours after the pilot obtained the last weather briefing. Weather conditions recorded at an airport 4 nautical miles from the accident site included an overcast ceiling at 1,100 feet above ground level. The pilot did not have an instrument rating associated with his pilot certificate. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies with respect to the airframe, engine or airplane systems. The dimensions of the debris field, about 1,000 feet in length, and the T-shaped ground scar at the initial impact point, was indicative of the airplane impacting the ground in a wings level attitude at a high rate of speed, which was consistent with an attempted recovery from a dive.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10FA320 for the full record.