VALENTINE, NE, USA
N206RB
CESSNA U206F
THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN 31 MI SOUTH OF THE DESTINATION. A WITNESS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE FLYING AT BETWEEN 100-300 FT AGL JUST BELOW THE CLOUDS WITH AN ESTIMATED GROUND VISIBILITY AT ABOUT 1 MI. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND WAS AWARE OF LOW CEILINGS. HIS REPLY TO A 500-FT OVERCAST WAS '...FIVE HUNDRED UP THERE DOESN'T BOTHER ME BECAUSE AH, I'M, I'M REAL FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.'
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF LOW CEILINGS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE, THE LOW CEILING AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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