# NTSB Accident MIA97FA043
> **Forney F-1** · 1996-12-22 · MIDDLEBURG, FL, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA97FA043
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07204
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-12-22
- **Location:** MIDDLEBURG, FL, USA
- **Coordinates:** 30.049259, -81.900032
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Forney
- **Model:** F-1
- **Registration:** N7530C
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

VFR flight by the noninstrument-rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in spatial disorientation and an uncontrolled descent into a wooded area.  Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing, darkness, the adverse weather condition (fog and/or low ceiling), and the pilot's lack of instrument experience.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA97FA043) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*