Safety Accident Analysis
Unplanned flight into cloud It’s summer so why should we be thinking about unplanned transitions from Visual to Instrument Meteorological Conditions? Maybe because this summer has been more about dodging cloud than enjoying sunshine. These incidents show how it is vital to get that right, as Steve Ayres reports…
Accident 1
A Piper PA-28 departed Warnambool Airport for a return to Moorabbin Airport, Victoria. The flight crew were conducting a training flight under visual flight rules (VFR). There was an instructor, student pilot and a passenger on board. During the cruise, the weather deteriorated and the aircraft returned to Warrnambool. During the initial stages of the return the visibility was good but as they got closer to Warrnambool the visibility reduced and they had to descend as the cloud base again began to lower. While approaching Warrnambool township, at approx 450ft agl, the instructor slowed the aircraft and extended two stages of flap. The visibility reduced significantly and the instructor, not wanting to descend further, made the decision to climb into cloud. Following initial radio
communication difficulties ATC responded to a call where the instructor advised they were in cloud and were requesting assistance. After clarifying the aircraft’s location and the pilot’s intentions, ATC assisted with information on the local weather, the lowest safe altitude and subsequently provided advice to keep the wings level, maintain a constant speed and to trust their instruments. Initially the instructor maintained a shallow climb and a low angle of bank turn to remain within an area around Warrnambool known to be clear of obstacles. When they reached 3,000ft, they turned north to ensure they did not track over water. They advised that in an attempt to fix the apparent radio problems they also switched between the two radio units in the aircraft and exchanged headsets with the student pilot. They continued the climb to 4,500 ft. ATC identified the aircraft on radar and issued the flight crew with a heading to Avalon Airport as the pilot of a helicopter in that area had reported operating clear of cloud. The flight then continued and landed normally at Moorabbin Airport The instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) and an instrument rating. He had completed an instrument proficiency check but had not conducted any instrument flying in the previous 11 months since the check. In addition, they had never conducted instrument flying from the right seat of the aircraft which required them to use the instruments on an angle across the cockpit.
“Rates of climb and descent varied from 8,500fpm up to 23,000fpm down” 50 | FLYER | October2021
The aircraft was certified for day and night VFR operations only. The main aircraft flight instruments are located on the left side of the cockpit. Consequently, they ensured they minimised control movements to maintain control of the aircraft. They also contacted ATC at the earliest opportunity to advise of their situation and request assistance. This ensured the instructor could concentrate on flying the aircraft and also expedite the return to visual flight conditions. The instructor advised they checked the weather for the return flight while they were on the ground at Warrnambool. However, they used the TAF for Warrnambool and the surrounding airports, rather than the area forecast and Moorabbin TAF, to provide an indication of the likely weather to be encountered on return to Moorabbin. In addition, as the instructor planned to return to Warrnambool Airport if conditions deteriorated, they should have considered the forecast in relation to its use as a destination. As the TAF forecast a TEMPO with conditions deteriorating below the alternate minima requirements, they were required to have an alternate airport or one hour’s hold fuel.
Accident 2
The privately registered Mooney M20F aircraft was conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Alberta, to British Columbia. The pilot was alone on board. The aircraft departed in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and initially climbed to 14,000ft above sea level (asl) before climbing to and maintaining 15,000ft. The pilot then requested a minor deviation from the route of flight to avoid entering clouds. However, during this deviation the clouds could not be avoided and the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions
Mark Mitchell
U
nplanned flight into cloud rarely ends well. Setting aside the capabilities of your aeroplane and your own piloting skills, the shock is guaranteed to send stress levels through the roof. Combine it with nearby terrain that climbs faster than you can, plus a familiarity with your attitude indicator that dates back to your early PPL training, means your prospects of successfully recovering the situation are not high. That said, this mixed bag of incidents suggest all is not necessarily lost, while reinforcing the old adage that some forethought and little practice will go a long way to improving outcomes!
