Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 63; Flight Crew Total 475; Flight Crew Type 128
Distraction; Physiological - Other; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Police / Security Involved
Weather; Human Factors
This flight was my first single pilot IFR/IMC flight; as well as my first night IMC flight in many months. I had slept exceedingly poorly the previous night and was operating with an unfamiliar GPS; but because of the high ceilings I did not believe the flight was risky.The moment I entered IMC I became spatially disoriented and I struggled the entire flight to control the airplane and work the GPS. I requested and planned to shoot the GPS RWY XX circle YY approach; and continued to attempt to control the attitude of the plane while attempting to load and activate the approach. I was +/- 100 ft constantly and banked up to 30 degrees either side each time I looked away from my instruments. I had difficulty locating the airport environment; and during the circle; I struggled with my height; speed; and spatial orientation to the airport; which resulted in a circle that was too close to the runway. That resulted in excess energy and an awful three point landing and I barely slowed the plane enough for the last taxiway turn off. I taxied to the ramp and immediately shut down the plane; exited the aircraft; and attempted to steady myself. My legs were so shaky I ended up sitting on the ground for the next couple of minutes. My family drove up to the ramp; and without saying a word I secured the aircraft and left the airport. 1 hour after landing; I unloaded my car and saw my reminder to close my flight plan. I called the TRACON and was politely informed that the police were called to the airport to look for my airplane. I apologized twice; and it was an excellent reminder of how poorly I had conducted my flight and how rusty and unskilled I had become without hand flying the airplane during my flights as an instructor.
C172 pilot reported neglecting to close a flight plan following a stressful instrument flight.