VFR into IMC

[BSeals71]

Hey Guys,

I’m putting together some information and wanted to get your response.

Would you consider VFR into IMC CFIT?

Thanks.

Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) is a term developed by engineers at Boeing in the late 1970s. It describes an accident whereby an airworthy aircraft, under complete control of the pilot(s), inadvertently flies into terrain (or an obstacle, or water).

 

[labbats]

Until they classify clouds as terrain... no.

However, I would call it dumb if you're not instrument rated and current.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Until they classify clouds as terrain... no.

However, I would call it dumb if you're not instrument rated and current.

Personally, I would call VFR into IMC dumb even if you ARE instrument rated and current...

As to the original question, if the airplane is under control when it hits terrain, it's CFIT. If it's not, it isn't.

Fly safe!

David

 

[RichardRambone]

No unless you hit terrain. It can be a factor but no it's not CFIT.

 

[User546]

All aircraft accidents are technically "flight into terrain". All that varies is how hard the impact is on whether or not its survivable. There's never been an airplane that's not ended up flying/falling onto the terrain

I don't understand your question, can you elaborate some more what you mean by CFIT?

And why Maule would you consider flying from VFR into IMC dumb - even if you are current?

And in short answer to the first question until more elaboration is giving - NO.

 

[joe_pilot]

All aircraft accidents are technically "flight into terrain". All that varies is how hard the impact is on whether or not its survivable. There's never been an airplane that's not ended up flying/falling onto the terrain

I don't understand your question, can you elaborate some more what you mean by CFIT?

And why Maule would you consider flying from VFR into IMC dumb - even if you are current?

And in short answer to the first question until more elaboration is giving - NO.

Sure, all aircraft come back down, but that doesn't mean all incidents are caused by "flight into terrain". Everyone who has ever died had their heart stop, but does that mean that every death is "technically" heart failure? No.

"Technically", flying from VFR into IMC is illegal (you must be on Instrument Flight Rules to be IMC), so I agree with Maule. We could have a discussion about VFR in IMC in class G airspace, but doing that would really be dumb.

To attempt to answer the initial question, a lot of aviation accidents are caused by VFR flights continued into IMC followed by CFIT. Though it seems just as often, once the flight is in IMC, airframe breakup is the final result. Most of these accidents appear to be with non-instrument rated pilots. A significant number occur however, with current, instrument rated pilots.

Be careful.

-JP

 

[Learsforsale]

Though it seems just as often, once the flight is in IMC, airframe breakup is the final result. Most of these accidents appear to be with non-instrument rated pilots. A significant number occur however, with current, instrument rated pilots.

Be careful.

-JP

A good point when differentiating between current and proficient.

 

[BSeals71]

Ifr

Exactly... The FAR "66HIT" just doesn't cut it in my opinion...

6 approaches in the last 6 months with "Holding, Intercepting, and Tracking".

Way too lax...

I’m not sure… but in Canada isn’t it 6 approaches in 60 days?
I think I might have heard this a while back in my CFI days.
One of the best Instrument IPC I did was with a guy from Canada.
He was just really on top of the ball… with having 30hr actual and 100 total

 

[G2T]

Until they classify clouds as terrain... no.

However, I would call it dumb if you're not instrument rated and current.

When flying in NV and AZ we had lots of pretty solid clouds, they were called "Cumulogranite".

 

[MauleSkinner]

"Technically", flying from VFR into IMC is illegal (you must be on Instrument Flight Rules to be IMC), so I agree with Maule. We could have a discussion about VFR in IMC in class G airspace, but doing that would really be dumb.

Technically, IMC in class G airspace still must be conducted under IFR...you just don't need a clearance.

I don't understand your question, can you elaborate some more what you mean by CFIT?

CFIT is CONTROLLED flight into terrain...in other words, the pilot is flying along, minding his own business, under complete control, when suddenly terrain jumps up in front of him with no warning. Usually because the pilot has poor situational awareness. This is in contrast to impacting terrain due to a loss of control.

And why Maule would you consider flying from VFR into IMC dumb - even if you are current?

Remember...VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules...you are keeping yourself separated from terrain and other aircraft visually. If you are in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), technically have visibility less than one mile (possibly less than 3 or 5, depending upon the airspace), which makes the visual avoidance of traffic and terrain pretty difficult.

Now...back to you...can you explain why you think it's NOT dumb?

Fly safe!

David