Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24.7; Flight Crew Total 64.0; Flight Crew Type 64.0
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Human Factors; Weather
I was on a schedule and needed to arrive by a certain time; however the weather was uncooperative. The problem was that I decided to continue VFR flight into LIFR conditions. I had the approach plate ready to go in case if the weather was not MVFR or VFR upon arrival. It was LIFR upon arrival; so I decided to execute the ILS approach procedure for Runway X at ZZZ. The landing was successful. In all honesty; I should not be alive. I am a VFR-only pilot with just 3.4 hours of simulated instrument time. However; I put to use all of my instrument training and flight simulator experience to shoot an ILS approach to minimums. I think it is very important to emphasize to VFR pilots how stupid of a decision it is to continue flight into IMC. Everyone thinks; 'It won't happen to me. I'll never make a decision that imprudent.' No. That is a lie. Everyone will make a mistake. People need to be educated well ahead of time what are the dangers of continued VFR flight into IMC. Additionally; VFR flight training needs to be changed to better suit an emergency in which a VFR pilot might have no choice but to execute an approach and not be afraid to call up ATC and ask for help.
A low time; non-instrument rated pilot survives penetration of IFR conditions and the successful execution of an ILS approach to minimums. He admits the error in his judgment and offers advice to the industry.