CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN: SPATIAL DISORIENTATION - NIGHT
This happens when an IFR rated or non IFR rated pilot gets disoriented during day flight. This is usually, but not necessarily in IMC conditions. The scenario is the result of either intentional or unintentional flight into these confusing conditions.
Regardless of the intent or not, the common scenario is simply a deteriorating and ultimate loss of distinguishable outside horizon (earth) using visual cues. Most often this is associated with flying into clouds, but not necessarily. Flying near rain, over desolate land or over water could initiate the disorientation.
The human mind is often set on “eyes outside” for reference data, as in what is level and what is not. The matter can often be complicated by ATC contact and ATC instruction that is a constant reminder to a pilot already disoriented to “Maintain VFR” This is almost a direct order from the FAA to keep looking outside the aircraft (includes airplane or helicopter) and maintain visual reference.
Once this reference is gone, the resulting track of the aircraft is often a large swooping spiral known as a death spiral, or graveyard spiral of ever tightening radius as the pilot is flying by seat of the pants feeling and disregarding instruments.
Most commonly, this ever-tightening circle is performed to the left. The aircraft typically hits the ground very steep and at a very high speed.
In error, the NTSB often makes reference to this type of accident as a loss of airplane control or LOC-I 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 due to undue influences. Most SD fatal crashes are specifically “not” U-FIT or loss of control, but rather C-FIT.
SOLUTION:
When conditions become marginal, and before the situation deteriorates too far, confess your actual situation to ATC and declare an emergency. Your PIC emergency authority becomes a status and you are granted an instant temporary IFR rating, and you are LEGAL to be in the clouds!
If you have any kind of view limiting device, put it on and concentrate solely on keeping wings level and DO NOT look outside!
Much like blinders on a horse or mule, a view limiting device is calming and eliminates scary stuff from your view. A view limiting device eliminates the sensation of rush of cloud and moisture streaming past your window from your view.
It’s like not looking down while on a tall ladder. Wearing a view limiting device in flight is NOT normally legal, but once you declare an emergency, use any and all tools available to you in order to survive the encounter.
You did all of your primary training wearing a view limiting device and you did just fine in keeping the craft level at that time. This is no different.
When ATC says to “maintain VFR” reply to them: “Negative, unable to maintain VFR, I am emergency aircraft, request all available assistance.”
When ATC gives you instructions, try to separate out turns and climbs.
If a climb is required, accomplish that before a turn if able. Confess to ATC your actual situation and IFR skill level.
If you are issued a turn, do it very slowly with full concentration on that panel. DO NOT attempt to look outside until you are very sure that you are back in VMC conditions.
If you are not in contact with ATC use all resources to point the aircraft towards where you came from, or towards better weather.
You have got to be very careful and do things very slowly during this time.
Do not look away from that panel for more than a second.
This procedure is critical to your survival.
Practice this with a safety pilot or your CFI until you are an expert at it.
Spatial Disorientation is one of the highest repeat causes of fatal accidents in GA. Normally chances of survival are not very high for a pilot in these conditions regardless of the skill level of the pilot.
SD happens best when you are not ready for it.
SAMPLE ACCIDENT REPORT:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night. The accident report may be accessed through the aviation synopses page on the NTSB website. The NTSB accident number is NYC99MA178.