FTW93FA128

A newly certificated private pilot and a flight instructor departed on a night cross country training flight which included intermediate stops at two airports. A weather system moved into the area and the airplane inadvertently entered the weather. The pilot established contact with a military air traffic control facility and was issued an IFR clearance. A loss of control was experienced while vectors were being issued. The instructor pilot had a total of two hours of actual instrument conditions.

History of flight

On April 13, 1993, at approximately 0222 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N61529, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following an in flight loss of control near Hobart, Oklahoma. The certified flight instructor and the private pilot on board were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the night cross country instructional flight.

According to the operator, the airplane departed the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airpark in Norman, Oklahoma, at approximately 1945 on a night cross country flight from Norman with intermediate stops in Amarillo, and Lubbock, Texas, and a return leg to Norman, Oklahoma. An FAA flight plan was not filed; however, a local form was filed stating their intended destination. At 2155, the airplane was topped off with 18.1 gallons of 100LL fuel at the Amarillo International Airport.

According to the tower, the airplane departed the Amarillo Airport at 2247, en route to Lubbock, Texas. The Lubbock tower reported that the airplane departed Lubbock at 0042 en route to Norman, Oklahoma.

Altus Air Force Base approach control operators reported establishing contact with N61529 at approximately 0215. The pilot stated that he had inadvertently flown into clouds and was requesting assistance. An IFR clearance was issued and he was assigned 5,000 feet. After encountering severe turbulence, the pilot stated that he was experiencing problems holding altitude, and was issued a vector to a heading of 220 degrees in an attempt to regain visual conditions. Radar contact was lost with the airplane 12 miles east of Hobart, Oklahoma. The last altitude readout observed indicated 2,800 feet. There were no witnesses to this accident.

Personnel information

The pilot in command was employed by the operator in the capacity of a ground school instructor. His total actual instrument time was two hours, with 38 hours of simulated instrument time.

Meteorological information

Certified weather reports, area and terminal forecasts, and current AIRMET and NOTAMS are enclosed in this report.

Communications

Transcripts of all communications between the pilot and Altus Approach Control, as well as his telephone conversations with Flight Service Station personnel are enclosed in this report.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane was located by a nearby resident at about 0930 in an open pasture approximately 125 yards from a county road. All aircraft components were located within 35 feet of the point of impact. The tail and empennage were found in the near vertical position. The measured heading of the wreckage path was 128 degrees.

The flaps were found in the retracted position. Evidence of fuel was found in the fuel tanks and fuel lines, with the fuel selector found in the "both" position. The elevator trim was found in the five degree tab down position. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. The engine, propeller, and most of the instrument panel were found buried at the initial point of impact.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was not performed. Toxicological tests were negative.

Additional data

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative upon the completion of the field investigation.