Ayres Corporation S-2R N8960Q accident near Shafter, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.

NTSB analysis

The instrument-rated commercial pilot departed from the airport and was planning to conduct a visual flight rules aerial application flight in an airplane that was not equipped for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. Shortly after departure, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The airplane impacted terrain about 1 1/4 mile from the departure airport.

The wreckage field was about 800 ft in length. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.

A witness who spoke with the pilot before the flight reported that the pilot said that the fog had cleared for a few moments and that he had missed his opportunity to depart the airport. About 20-30 minutes later the pilot departed the airport with a 200 ft cloud ceiling and 1/2 mile of visibility.

Another witness who spoke with the pilot stated that the pilot had checked the weather. Multiple weather sources indicated low ceilings and the presence of fog, which is conductive to low IFR conditions, before and at the time of the accident for the area near the accident site.

Given the weather data and witness statements, the airplane likely flew into an area of fog and low clouds during departure and just before the accident. Based on the wreckage distribution, which was consistent with a high-speed impact, and the low visibility and ceiling present at the time of the accident, it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and lost airplane control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22FA026 for the full record.