Cessna T210-M | N19FB

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot elected to fly VFR very late at night in deteriorating weather conditions, and eventually became spatially disoriented after requesting an IFR clearance. The accident pilot was issued an instrument approach at 3:30 am local time in very low IMC conditions. The accident pilot was given two low altitude alerts by ATC while on the non stabilized approach, with headings varying greatly at low altitude. The aircraft was in a descending left hand turn when it first impacted the roof of a townhome and then came to rest behind a residence located at 820 Swallow Street, Deerfield, IL. The crash site was located on an easterly track at a point 2.6 nm prior to runway 16, and 1650 feet to the west of the final approach course. It is likely that the accident pilot was not current or proficient in instrument flight, and had not anticipated a very low IMC approach, and became disoriented while attempting to fly the approach course.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves for the possibility of IFR or inadvertent IFR conditions through regular and frequent practice and a renewed focus on the primary flight display, and the skill set of crosscheck, interpretation, and control.