4) U- IMC ATO
7 fatal accidents on record
This happens when a non-instrument rated pilot attempts a takeoff and intends to stay visual, but is unable due to low clouds and poor visibility. This type of accident is typical of a pilot not expecting IMC conditions after takeoff. The pilot in this case becomes distracted, overloaded, or disoriented immediately after liftoff. The wreckage is typically found just off the end of the departure runway. In error, the NTSB often makes reference to loss of airplane control as a LOC-I or Loss of Control inflight accident. Loss of control implies that the controls were not working properly at the time of impact. Most SD fatal crashes occur where the controls were in fact performing perfectly, and the aircraft was perfectly controllable even though the pilot positioned those controls improperly.
Trend
- Accidents per quarter
- Rolling 12-month average
| Period | Accidents | Rolling 12-month average per quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 1 | 0.3 |
| Q2 2025 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Q3 2025 | 1 | 0.8 |
| Q4 2025 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Q1 2026 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Q2 2026 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Q3 2026 | 2 | 0.5 |
| Q4 2026 QTD | 0 | 0.5 |
Lessons
Short reads from the DTSB lesson library for this category.
No lessons for this category yet.
Practice scenarios
What to practice to keep this from happening to you. Fly drills with a qualified instructor at a safe altitude, or in a simulator.
No practice scenarios for this category yet.
Recent accidents in this category
Piper PA-18 | N9128D
4) U- IMC ATOPiper Aerostar 601-P | N800AA
4) U- IMC ATOCessna 140 | N89447
4) U- IMC ATORobinson R-44 | N1195P
4) U- IMC ATORockwell 112A | N1423J
4) U- IMC ATOPiper PA32-300 | N8963N
4) U- IMC ATO