Overview
Safety Spotlight: VFR into IMC
History of VFR into IMC Accidents
Unintentional VFR into IMC should be one of the most avoidable accidents, thanks to modern technology and the improving accuracy of weather forecasts. But they continue to occur at a rate of more than one a month. When a pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) enters instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) unintentionally, the chance of a successful outcome quickly vanishes. According to a classic study supported by the Air Safety Institute, once entering these deadly conditions a pilot remains in control of the airplane for a mere 178 seconds. That is just shy of three minutes—less time than it takes to push the aircraft back in the hangar and close the door.
The study, conducted in Beechcraft Bonanzas, highlighted the need for changes in training. The result was a required three hours of instrument training for all student pilots. In the years that followed, VFR into IMC accidents continued, and training programs were created to help pilots escape these dangerous conditions. For its part, ASI created several programs surrounding escape, including the 180-degree turn, which centered on a gradual rudder-only turn to exit the conditions. Despite these interventions, VFR into IMC accidents continued, along with an exceedingly high lethality rate—a measure of the number of fatal accidents proportional to the total number of accidents.
The study, conducted in Beechcraft Bonanzas, highlighted the need for changes in training.178 Seconds to Live
Curious to know what a pilot’s last 178 seconds might look like? Watch this gripping video.
ASI’s Joseph T. Nall Report continually shows VFR into IMC as the most fatal weather-related accident category with more than 75 percent resulting in a fatality. While VFR into IMC makes up only a small percentage of the total number of accidents, pilots’ risk of dying significantly increases should they find themselves in this scenario.