ROSEMEAD, CA, USA
N3940F
PIPER PA28-140
THE NONINSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WITH THE PREVAILING WEATHER TO BE LESS THAN VFR IN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE. DENSE FOG SURROUNDED THE AREA. GROUND WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLE THE RESIDENTIAL AREA SEVERAL TIMES. ONE GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT PLUMMET FROM THE FOG SHROUDED AREA AND CRASH INTO THE ROOF OF A RESIDENCE. THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE FOG BEGAN AT ABOVE THE HEIGHT OF A TELEPHONE POLE. SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PREVAILING LOW CEILING AND FOG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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