If the wingman goes blind in IMC conditions, what is the appropriate action?

The correct approach in this situation is to perform lost wingman procedures. When one aircraft, the wingman, becomes visually and spatially disoriented in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), it loses visual contact with the lead aircraft. This scenario requires the wingman to take immediate and decisive actions to ensure safety and maintain formation integrity.

Lost wingman procedures are specifically designed for scenarios where vision is compromised. These procedures allow the wingman to safely gain separation from the lead while ensuring they do not inadvertently collide with other aircraft. This involves executing a predetermined set of maneuvers to re-establish visual contact or to regain situational awareness without jeopardizing the integrity of both aircraft operations.

Continuing to fly as normal without acknowledging the loss of visual reference could lead to dangerous situations due to potential misalignment with the lead aircraft's flight path. Similarly, calling for a frequency change or requiring both aircraft to land do not address the immediate need for the wingman to safely regain control and maintain safe separation from the lead in the midst of challenging weather conditions. It is crucial that the wingman actively engages in lost wingman procedures to ensure safety and operational effectiveness under IMC.