4) U- IMC ATO ACCIDENTS

This happens when a non-instrument rated pilot attempts a takeoff and intends to stay visual, but is unable due to low clouds and poor visibility. This type of accident is typical of a pilot not expecting IMC conditions after takeoff. The pilot in this case becomes distracted, overloaded, or disoriented immediately after liftoff. The wreckage is typically found just off the end of the departure runway. In error, the NTSB often makes reference to loss of airplane control as a LOC-I or Loss of Control 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.