2) SD-N ACCIDENTS

This happens when an IFR rated or non IFR rated pilot gets disoriented during night flight. This is usually, but not necessarily in IMC conditions. The scenario is the result of either intentional or unintentional flight into these confusing conditions. Regardless of the intent or not, the common scenario is simply a deteriorating and ultimate loss of distinguishable outside horizon (earth) using visual cues. Most often this is associated with flying into clouds, but not necessarily. Flying near rain, over desolate land or over water could initiate the disorientation. The human mind is often set on eyes outside for reference data, as in what is level and what is not. The matter can often be complicated by ATC contact and ATC instruction that is a constant reminder to a pilot already disoriented to “Maintain VFR” This is almost a direct order from the FAA to keep looking outside the aircraft (includes airplane or helicopter) and maintain visual reference. Once this reference is gone, the resulting track of the aircraft is often a large swooping spiral known as a death spiral, or graveyard spiral of ever tightening radius as the pilot is flying by the “seat of the pants” feeling and disregarding the instruments. Most commonly, this ever-tightening circle is performed to the left. The aircraft typically hits the ground very steep and at a very high speed. In error, the NTSB often makes reference to this type of accident as a loss of airplane control or LOC-I inflight accident. Loss of control implies that the controls were not working properly at the time of impact. Most SD fatal crashes occur where the controls were in fact performing perfectly, and the aircraft was perfectly controllable even though the pilot positioned those controls improperly due to undue influences. Most SD fatal crashes are specifically not U-FIT or loss of control, but rather C-FIT.