Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's poor preflight planning; his inadequate weather evaluation; and his intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the turbulence, rain and low clouds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A PIPER pa-24-180 collided with level desert terrain. Residents of a nearby town reported severe weather conditions on the evening of accident. The noninstrument rated certificated private pilot received a 15 minute electronic weather briefing from duat services. The briefing included flight precautions for mountain obscuration, icing, and turbulence along the requested flight routing. Airmets had been issued for instrument flight rules conditions, mountain obscuration and turbulence. The wreckage examination disclosed the airplane struck the ground in a left wing down and nose level attitude. Paper from the pilot's duat weather briefing was found on the engine exhaust system at the accident site. The paper was burned in the area where it was touching the exhaust system and wrinkled from being wet.
Source record
Factual narrative
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