# NTSB Accident MIA96LA123
> **VERNON L. COX COX-HAWK** · 1996-04-20 · MEBANE, NC, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA96LA123
- **Event ID:** 20001208X05640
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-04-20
- **Location:** MEBANE, NC, USA
- **Coordinates:** 36.089229, -79.270568
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** VERNON L. COX
- **Model:** COX-HAWK
- **Registration:** N7VC
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped with appropriate instrumentation which led to the pilot's inability to maintain control and spatial disorientation.  In addition, during an attemped recovery from the loss of control, the airplane exceeded Vne which resulted in failure of the aileron flight control system and flying wires.  Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA96LA123) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*