Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot in commands attempt to conduct a visual flight during instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the emergency 180 degree turn maneuver to reverse direction. Factors in the accident were the snow and whiteout condition and the pilot in commands limited experience in performing 180 turns solely by reference to the plane's basic cockpit instrumentation.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The visual flight rules (vfr) restricted private pilot stated that he departed the airport in instrument meteorological conditions with the intent of maintaining visual reference with the ground by relying on prominent ground features. Once aloft, he realized that there were no prominent ground reference features along the shoreline. The pilot stated that he flew into whiteout conditions and became engrossed in trying to find the ground rather than flying the airplane. The pilot further stated that he became spatially disoriented while attempting to perform a 180 degree turn maneuver and that the airplane crashed in an inverted attitude.
Source record
Factual narrative
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