| Occurrence Briefs are concise reports that detail the facts surrounding a transport safety occurrence, as received in the initial notification and any follow-up enquiries. They provide an opportunity to share safety messages in the absence of an investigation. Because occurrence briefs are not investigations under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, the information in them is de-identified. |
What happened
On 24 January 2025, the pilot of a Piper PA-28-181 aircraft was conducting a flight between Bankstown Airport and Mudgee Airport, New South Wales, under visual flight rules.[1] The pilot held a private pilot licence (aeroplane) and was conducting the flight for the purpose of building the command flight experience required for a commercial pilot licence (aeroplane).
Prior to departure, the pilot and a senior flight instructor reviewed the Bureau of Meteorology graphical area forecast, which was valid between 0400 and 1000 local time. For the planned flight, the forecast showed cloud between 1,500 ft and 10,000 ft above mean sea level.
After departing, the pilot received a clearance from air traffic control (controller) to climb to 6,500 ft, in controlled airspace, while maintaining their track to Mudgee. At approximately 0922 local time, the pilot requested a deviation to avoid cloud, and the controller asked the pilot to standby. Fourteen seconds later, the pilot informed the controller they no longer required the deviation and were clear of cloud. The aircraft did not enter cloud during this stage of the flight.
The pilot later reported to the ATSB that, while climbing, they observed a thin layer of stratus cloud ahead of the aircraft track. They believed they could avoid the cloud by climbing above it. However, as they flew over the top of the initial layer, a thicker and taller cloud was hidden above, which they were unable to avoid.
At approximately 0923, while passing 4,800 ft, the aircraft deviated from its flight plan track and began a right turn. The controller advised the pilot that they appeared to be in a right turn and the pilot informed the controller they had entered cloud (instrument meteorological conditions).[2]
The pilot’s initial instinct was to pitch up to increase their climb, which reduced the aircraft’s airspeed to approximately 65 kt and inadvertently started the right turn. After their initial reaction, the pilot focused on scanning their instruments and levelled the aircraft wings. At 0925, passing 5,200 ft, the pilot reported to the controller they were again clear of cloud, and the flight continued to Mudgee Airport.
Although the aircraft was equipped with a serviceable autopilot, the pilot had not received training in its use. Therefore, they were unable to use its functionality to reduce their workload, maintain desired attitude and heading, or maintain their cleared track through controlled airspace while in cloud.
Safety message
When flying under the visual flight rules, pilots should maintain a safe distance from cloud in accordance with their altitude and airspace type. When flying in controlled airspace, requesting deviations around cloud from air traffic control early will assist in avoiding cloud and maintaining separation with other traffic. If entering cloud becomes unavoidable, the use of an autopilot by a suitably trained pilot can assist with maintaining the desired flight path and remove inadvertent inputs.
ATSB booklet Accidents involving Visual Flight Rules pilots in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (AR-2011-050, revised 2019) provides for guidance on avoiding VFR into adverse weather. Further resources for preventing VFR into IMC can also be found on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s website.
About this report
Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.
[1] Visual flight rules (VFR): a set of regulations that permit a pilot to operate an aircraft only in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.
[2] Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC): weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments, and therefore under instrument flight rules, rather than by outside visual reference. Typically, this means flying in cloud or limited visibility.