Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in IMC. A factor was his lack of recent instrument flight experience.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane flew approximately three hours cross country in IFR conditions without a flight plan or contacting ATC. The burning wreckage was found in a field under the missed approach flight path near the uncontrolled destination airport. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down, left wing down attitude. The weather at the time was 500 feet overcast with restricted visibility and rain. No evidence of pre impact failure or malfunction was found in the airframe, powerplant or aircraft systems. An instructor, who was a part owner in the airplane and had given the pilot his last bfr 30 months prior to the accident, stated that the pilot was not current for instrument flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
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