- The extra risks inherent in visual flight at night are from reduced visual cues, and the increased likelihood of perceptual illusions and consequent risk of spatial disorientation.
The owner and pilot of a Piper Saratoga had held a private pilot licence with a night VFR rating for many years. The pilot was not current in night flying. On 30 March 2011, he had flown from Moree to Brewarrina with five passengers, intending to return that evening.
On the return flight, the pilot made a number of detours to allow the passengers to see particular landmarks, and by the time the aircraft returned to Moree, it was dark.
Two legs of the circuit at Moree Airport were flown toward Moree town centre, which provided enough ground lighting to allow the pilot to control the aircraft. The final approach was over a caravan park and highway. However, there was relatively limited ground lighting along the aircraft’s intended flight path in the last 500 m before the runway, except for the runway lighting ahead.
The aircraft was very low on the final leg of the circuit. The left wing impacted the top of a tree in the caravan park, 700 m north of the runway. The aircraft rolled inverted and impacted the ground about 150 m later. Two passengers survived the
accident.
Lessons learnt
Even if there is ground lighting, terrain clearance will be assured by continually matching the aircraft’s position in the circuit and on the approach against the expected altitude. This check allows a pilot to correct the height early if needed. Night currency enables a pilot to maintain the necessary skills and judgement to safely fly at night, such as an earlier detection and correction of an undershoot or shallow approach path
Key message
The extra risks inherent in visual flight at night are from reduced visual cues, and the increased likelihood of perceptual illusions and consequent risk of spatial disorientation. These dangers can, however, be managed effectively. This report explains how suitable strategies can significantly reduce the risks of flying visually at night.
- Night flying is more difficult than flying in the day. Ensure you are both current and proficient with disciplined instrument flight. Know your own personal limitations in terms of flying with minimal or no visual references. Only fly in environments that do not exceed your capabilities.
- Before committing to departing on a visual flight at night or close to last light, ensure your aircraft is appropriately equipped and consider all obtainable operational information, including the availability of celestial and terrestrial lighting.
- Some nights and some terrain are darker than others. Excellent visibility conditions can still result in no visible horizon or contrast between sky and ground. Inadvertently flying into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is also harder to avoid at night.
- Always know where the aircraft is in relation to terrain, and know how high you need to fly to avoid unseen terrain and obstacles.
- Remain aware of illusions that can lead to spatial disorientation—they can affect anyone. Know how to avoid and recover from illusions by relying on instrument flight.
Read more about: Visual flight at night accidents
Read the report: Controlled flight into terrain involving Piper Saratoga PA 32R 301T, VH-LKI, Moree Airport, New South Wales, on 30 March 2011
Learn more about Flying with reduced visual cues