Flight instructor allows spi to become IMC while on a VFR training flight.

Attributes
ACN	126985
Time
Date	198911
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : isp
State Reference	NY
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 2000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : n90 artcc : zau
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other cruise other
Route In Use	enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	instruction : instructor
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 350 flight time type : 40
ASRS Report	126985
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : trainee
Qualification	pilot : student
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather inflight encounter : vfr in imc non adherence : far
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : exited adverse environment flight crew : became reoriented
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

The WX at islip was reported to be 5000 overcast visibility 8. We took off and headed to the south in 2-WAY radio and radar contact with ATC. As we got further south of the field, I saw the visibility beginning to deteriorate. After a few mins I heard ATC tell another pilot of WX coming in from the south. I immediately requested more information and requested a clearance to go to the north. I was vectored to head for captree state park which I had in sight about 5 mi away. The visibility to the southwest was becoming very poor. The student was flying and as I turned to him to explain something, I saw everything outside turn white and knew we had entered a cloud. I immediately turned 180 degree from my present heading and told ATC that I was in IMC and would like to go back to the airport. I also requested a special VFR clearance because I thought the airport could be IFR. I was told by the controller that the airport was VFR and so I continued in and landed.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FLT INSTRUCTOR ALLOWS SPI TO BECOME IMC WHILE ON A VFR TRAINING FLT.

Narrative: THE WX AT ISLIP WAS REPORTED TO BE 5000 OVCST VISIBILITY 8. WE TOOK OFF AND HEADED TO THE S IN 2-WAY RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WITH ATC. AS WE GOT FURTHER S OF THE FIELD, I SAW THE VISIBILITY BEGINNING TO DETERIORATE. AFTER A FEW MINS I HEARD ATC TELL ANOTHER PLT OF WX COMING IN FROM THE S. I IMMEDIATELY REQUESTED MORE INFO AND REQUESTED A CLRNC TO GO TO THE N. I WAS VECTORED TO HEAD FOR CAPTREE STATE PARK WHICH I HAD IN SIGHT ABOUT 5 MI AWAY. THE VISIBILITY TO THE SW WAS BECOMING VERY POOR. THE STUDENT WAS FLYING AND AS I TURNED TO HIM TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING, I SAW EVERYTHING OUTSIDE TURN WHITE AND KNEW WE HAD ENTERED A CLOUD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED 180 DEG FROM MY PRESENT HDG AND TOLD ATC THAT I WAS IN IMC AND WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE ARPT. I ALSO REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR CLRNC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE ARPT COULD BE IFR. I WAS TOLD BY THE CTLR THAT THE ARPT WAS VFR AND SO I CONTINUED IN AND LANDED.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.