Cessna 150 N4658X accident near Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night.

NTSB analysis

The noninstrument-rated pilot departed on a visual flight rules cross-country flight in dark night conditions. Shortly after departure, the airplane entered a left turn followed by a rapid spiraling descent. The airplane impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. Examination of the airframe and engine did not detect any preimpact anomalies which would have precluded normal operation. Weather at the time of the accident included the potential for low stratiform-type clouds in the area of the accident site, and it is likely that the pilot encountered these clouds while climbing after takeoff. There was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing before the flight, and the weather information he may have accessed before or during the flight could not be determined.

The pilot indicated to two different people before the accident flight that he was tired; however, based on the information available, the extent to which the pilot’s fatigue contributed to the accident could not be determined. Review of the pilot’s logbook indicated that he had about 9.5 hours of night flying experience, and according to a friend, wanted to gain more experience flying at night. The pilot had only 3.4 hours of simulated instrument time and no experience in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

The dark night and likely IMC present in the area at the time of the accident and the pilot’s limited experience in flying at night and in IMC were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation; the airplane’s rapid spiraling descent before impact is consistent with the known effects of spatial disorientation. It is likely that the pilot’s visual flight into IMC shortly after takeoff resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19FA332 for the full record.