CM:
The UK regs sound similar to here (Canada).
As for the accident statistics. Yes, inadvertant flight in IMC (and I think it's important to differentiate between IMC and IFR here) does tend to result in a 'smoking hole'
You're right about that: the data here suggest that it is just as lethal for an instrument rated pilot to end up inadvertent IMC as a non instrument rated one.
Interestingly just as many IR pilots seem to stuff up as non-IR when in unplanned IMC. It would be useful to know the total #'s of IR & non IR pilots in N American GA, because on first glance, it could suggest that, if IR pilots are a numerically smaller group than non-IR, then the proportion of IR pilots who fool up may actually be greater than the non-IR!!
Rgds
CB
edited for splling & tipng
[ 23 November 2001: Message edited by: Code Blue ]