ATL03LA050

According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 2000 feet, the airplane entered clouds and the pilot began to descend to 1200 feet. The pilot requested assistance from air traffic, and was cleared to initiate a 180-degree turn. During the 180-degree turn the pilot became disoriented and collided with the ground. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the non-instrument rated pilot.

On March 1, 2003, at 0056 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N67524, registered to Aiken Air Service and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground during a 180-degree turn near Greenwood County Airport, Greenwood, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Donaldson Center Airport, Greenville, South Carolina, on March 1, 2003 at 2350.

According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight at 2000 feet, when he contacted Atlanta Center for flight following. Approximately 10 minutes after contacting Atlanta Center, the weather began to deteriorate. The pilot reported he entered clouds and was descending to 1200 feet were he believed it was clear. The pilot was still in the clouds and requested assistance from Atlanta Center. Atlanta Center cleared the pilot to make a 180-degree turn. The pilot reported the 180-degree turn, he became disoriented and collided with the ground.

Examination of the airplane revealed, the airplane came to rest in a stand of trees. The main fuselage and cabin area were buckled. Both wings of the airplane buckled back towards the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the flight.