Pilot of small aircraft loses control of aircraft during preparation for IFR approach into apg.

Attributes
ACN	142599
Time
Date	199003
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : ppm airport : apg
State Reference	MD
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 2000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : bwi
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 2 Eng, Retractable Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other descent : approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : cfi pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 1150 flight time type : 75
ASRS Report	142599
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : far other anomaly
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : became reoriented flight crew : exited adverse environment other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

During the approach to a military airport the owner (ATP rated) got the twin engine plane in a nose down unusual attitude that exceeded 30 degree bank and near red-line the airspeed (2000+ FPM descent), within 1500' AGL. The problem to begin with was the owner's rush to a closer airport with no IFR approachs. The plan was to use a military field to get below the clouds then cancel to proceed to the VFR only destination. No approach plate was available so we had to rely on ATC for a detailed report of the approach plan. While I was copying the plan the owner/pilot got us in the unusual attitude. After recovery, I yelled to proceed to the nearest airport with an ILS. Problems: overconfidence in the owner's ability, making approach with no detailed plan. Solution: proceeding immediately to a suitable alternate after unusual attitude.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PLT OF SMA LOSES CTL OF ACFT DURING PREPARATION FOR IFR APCH INTO APG.

Narrative: DURING THE APCH TO A MIL ARPT THE OWNER (ATP RATED) GOT THE TWIN ENG PLANE IN A NOSE DOWN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE THAT EXCEEDED 30 DEG BANK AND NEAR RED-LINE THE AIRSPD (2000+ FPM DSNT), WITHIN 1500' AGL. THE PROB TO BEGIN WITH WAS THE OWNER'S RUSH TO A CLOSER ARPT WITH NO IFR APCHS. THE PLAN WAS TO USE A MIL FIELD TO GET BELOW THE CLOUDS THEN CANCEL TO PROCEED TO THE VFR ONLY DEST. NO APCH PLATE WAS AVAILABLE SO WE HAD TO RELY ON ATC FOR A DETAILED RPT OF THE APCH PLAN. WHILE I WAS COPYING THE PLAN THE OWNER/PLT GOT US IN THE UNUSUAL ATTITUDE. AFTER RECOVERY, I YELLED TO PROCEED TO THE NEAREST ARPT WITH AN ILS. PROBS: OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE OWNER'S ABILITY, MAKING APCH WITH NO DETAILED PLAN. SOLUTION: PROCEEDING IMMEDIATELY TO A SUITABLE ALTERNATE AFTER UNUSUAL ATTITUDE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 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.