1) SD-D, C-FIT

Piper PA-28-180C | N903US

July 31st, 2024 | Irene, South Dakota

Accident Location

  • City: Irene
  • State: South Dakota
  • Latitude: 43.072519
  • Longitude: -97.215119
  • Airport ID: KYKN

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N903US
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-28-180C
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Schneider, Charles L.
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 67
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: July 31st, 2024
  • Time: 7:20 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: IMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN24FA295
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 1) SD-D, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did elect to fly this short trip from KFSD to KYKN for the purpose of maintenance. While the weather was mostly clear at the departure airport, the pilot did encounter ever increasing cloud, and ever decreasing visibility. The pilot elected to descend and attempt to visual cotact with the ground, whereupon he eventually lost all contact and turned first left, then right, eventually impacting the ground at cruise speed. The wreckage was scattered over a large area. The impact path suggests that the pilot became disoriented in the low visibility towards the very end of the flight. There were no pre impact conditions that were found that would have caused the accident. In the pilots hopes of reaching his destination, he allowed the aircraft to descend and to continue further into ever worsening cloud, fog, and visibility conditions.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots use ADM, and pre flight planning, as well as known measures for turning around and re emerging from weather conditions should they become lower and more pronounced during the intended flight. The DTSB recommends delaying and avoiding such flights where weather conditions are less than acceptable.

Mde

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.