Diamond DA 20-C1 N203MK

Summary

On 24 November 2011 at about 04:50 local time, a Diamond DA 20-C1 registered N203MK, operated by North Star Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Bern, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 November 2011 at 04:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Bern, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

45.0928, -90.1272

Aircraft

Diamond DA 20-C1

Registration

N203MK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

North Star Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mankato → Merrill

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CEN12FA080

1 person died.

The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with the terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated pilot checked the weather prior to the night cross-country flight. Two other pilots, who individually discussed the weather conditions with the pilot, reported that the weather appeared to be deteriorating for his intended route of flight. The accident pilot stated to the other pilots that he would "scud run," or fly below the weather, if he had to. Weather conditions at the departure airport were clear, but deteriorated to instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight. Based on the weather information, the pilot likely flew into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and lost control. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about 22 miles from the destination airport. Conditions at the destination airport, which was the nearest weather observation station, around the time of the accident included 3-mile visibility with mist and an overcast ceiling at 500 feet. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.