Piper PA-28-181, N2405Y, 10 April 2009
Piper PA-28-181, N2405Y
Summary:
The pilot had planned a flight from Panshanger to Jersey. The weather forecast was poor, with two fronts expected to be positioned along the route at about the time of the flight. The weather forecast for Jersey was also poor and it was uncertain whether the pilot would be given a Special VFR clearance through the Channel Islands Control Zone. The pilot took off but after 47 minutes the aircraft flew into low cloud covering a ridge of high ground north of Petersfield. About 10 seconds later the aircraft flew into trees just below the ridge line and broke up. It is likely the pilot succumbed to ‘get-there-itis’ in making his decision to take off. It is probable that, as the weather deteriorated on his route, he ran out of ‘escape routes’ before inadvertently entering cloud.
Download report:
(930.37 kb)