The Vinyard may have been "lite up like a Christmas tree" --but that matters little if the visibility is that low due to haze and other factors. I have landed at Frankfurt International when it was "lite up like a Christmas tree" and I barely made it in there with Cat II procedures.
The stability of Piper aircraft is not in question--but when you lost situational awareness and have spacial disorientation in an aircraft without relying on your instrument, you get the "graveyard spiral"--which most investigators believe happened.
Even 5000+ hour instrument pilots have mishaps. JFK didn't even have the rating.
It was VFR (no marginal) (ceiling and vis clear and 8 stat. mi.)according to the FAA.
I have landed at Frankfurt International when it was "lite up like a Christmas tree" and I barely made it in there with Cat II procedures.
Question...Why were you using Catagory II procedures with Clear and 8 miles? You'd only use those if conditions were below Cat I minimums (DH on the glideslope, normally 200 ft. and 1/2 mile vis. or 3200 RVR) Nobody said being "lit up like a Christmas tree" would help in Cat II conditions.
JFK didn't even have the rating.
Didn't need one. He was in VFR conditions. But he did have the training. And the equipment to prevent the "graveyard spiril"...namely an autopilot. Take a look at the equipment he had at his disposal.
STANDARD GARMIN/S-TEC AVIONICS PACKAGE
Audio Panel with Marker Beacon and Intercom GMA-340
Nav/GS/GPS/Comm GNS-430
Nav/GS/GPS/Comm GNS-430
#2 Indicator (Loc and GS) GI-106
Transponder GTX-320
Autopilot S-TEC 55 Dual Axis Autopilot with automatic electric trim and turn indicator
ADI (Flight Director Bars) ST-361
HSI with Slaved Compass ST-180
DME DME-450
Altitude Reporter
Ground Clearance System
Pilot/Copilot Wheel Mic Button
Avionics Master Switch
Microphone (Telex 100T)
Headset (Telex Airman 760)
Speaker w/Mic/Phone Jacks
Static Discharge Wicks
PS Engineering Headsets (4)
And he trained at Flight Safety, so I guarantee he knew how to use all that stuff.