PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 356; Flight Crew Type 134
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
I intended to stay in the pattern to regain my night currency; I was the only occupant in the aircraft. Prior to leaving for the airport; I checked aviationweather.gov and found the current METARs for the closest reporting sites were showing VFR conditions (as I recall; ceilings around 25;000 feet and visibility of 6 miles). The TAF was forecasting fog to develop; but not for another 2 hours or so. I thought I could perform a quick 30 minute flight to do 3 takeoffs and landings; all the while staying in the pattern.After arriving at the field; I checked the ground visibility and had no problem seeing the runway lights at the far end of the runway; city lights far off in the distance; and aircraft flying overhead. There was a slight haze in the air; but it did not seem to be enough to restrict in-flight visibility. However; almost immediately after taking off (approximately 200 feet AGL); I lost all reference to the ground. I made a downwind turn; on a parallel heading to the runway; but could not see the runway lights at pattern altitude.At that point; I realized I would need to go elsewhere; so I proceeded to head away from the field; and in the opposite direction from the Class B area. I climbed to 1;600 feet; and at some altitude I broke out of the fog.I decided to contact Approach and request an ILS approach into the closest field with an ILS approach. I confessed to the Controller my predicament; and let him know that I did not have any approach plates with me; although I did have an approach-certified GPS on board.The controller was extremely helpful in getting me set up for the approach; and vectored me in such a fashion as to give me plenty of time to prepare. I landed; parked at one of the local FBOs; and called my wife to pick me up.I learned three main things from this experience: 1) fog can develop very quickly; 2) always have my Electronic Flight Bag with me; even when flying in the pattern; and 3) it's important to stay proficient so as I can be at the top of my game when flying approaches. Also; I should have immediately climbed to get above the fog when I encountered it; rather than attempting to stay at pattern altitude and return to the field. I had the mistaken impression that the fog might have been localized to the departure end of the runway since conditions looked so favorable on my takeoff roll.
A low time instrument rated pilot departed a CTAF airport for night landings in his PA-28 and it became IMC. He contacted the TRACON; was honest about his situation and was vectored without charts for an ILS to a nearby airport.