Piper PA-28-180 N903US accident near Irene, South Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.

NTSB analysis

The non-instrument-rated pilot departed from an airport where visual meteorological weather conditions prevailed. As the flight progressed, the visibility and ceilings decreased. Flight track data showed that, during the flight, the airplane began a steady descent that continued to the end of the data. The airplane struck trees and terrain, and a postimpact fire ensued which destroyed the airplane.

Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The individual who found the accident site reported that he was driving on the adjacent road and saw the glow of a fire through dense fog, which led him to discover the accident site.

The destination airport, about 13 nautical miles (nm) from the accident site, reported instrument flight rules weather conditions for several hours before the airplane’s departure. There was no evidence that the pilot obtained a weather briefing before the flight, and weather sources that he may have accessed before the flight were not known.

The pilot had coronary artery disease that was associated with increased risk of an impairing or incapacitating cardiovascular event, such as chest pain, arrhythmia, or heart attack. There was no autopsy evidence that such an event occurred, although such an event cannot be excluded by autopsy evidence alone.

Based on the available evidence, it is most likely that the pilot continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, and due to the low visibility, was unable to detect a descent and remain clear of trees and terrain. The damage to the airplane and witness marks at the accident site are consistent with controlled flight into trees and terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24FA295 for the full record.