Piper PA28 N6433J accident near Reeds Spring, Missouri

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making, which resulted in flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and the subsequent collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The noninstrument-rated private pilot and the passenger, who held a student pilot certificate, departed on a night cross-country flight. The pilot was not in communication with air traffic control during the accident flight; however, a review of radar information revealed a flight track that correlated with the accident flight. The airplane approached it's destination from the north/northwest, making several turns, including circles, along its route of flight, before the target disappeared from radar near the accident location.

Witnesses near the accident site stated that the visibility was poor and that it was foggy at the time of the accident. A review of weather conditions revealed instrument meteorological conditions at the accident site, and at the destination airport. A further review of weather conditions for the time the flight originated from its departure airport, and an hour before departure time, revealed similar instrument weather conditions near the accident site and destination airport. There was no record that the pilot received a preflight weather briefing for the planned flight.

Although examination of the airplane was limited by impact damage, no pre-impact abnormalities were noted with the airframe or engine.

The accident is consistent with the noninstrument-rated pilot's flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent collision with terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18FA054 for the full record.