What happened
The flight was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 22R at an airport in California. Air traffic control instructed the pilot to maintain as much speed as practical during the descent. The pilot later stated that he could not recall specific details of the approach but remembered lowering the landing gear at the outer marker and using the autopilot to track the localizer centerline. He manually controlled airspeed and descent rate, though he was unsure if the glide slope had been captured.
To assist with situational awareness, the pilot monitored radio communications via headset and asked a passenger in the right front seat, who had previous flight experience, to monitor for altitudes below 1000 feet MSL and airspeeds below 80 knots. Tower personnel reported seeing the aircraft at 1.5 miles and then 1 mile on final approach. The pilot reported suddenly sighting the runway and beginning a descent to land. At that moment, he noticed red lights at the departure end of the runway and initiated a go-around. Shortly after starting the climb, the Cessna 172P (N98SW) collided with trees along a fence row approximately 25 feet above ground level.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures. The passenger reported seeing an altitude of approximately 800 feet on the altimeter when the runway was sighted, but could not hear radio communications due to wearing a headset. The pilot's inability to recall specific approach details and his sudden realization of the runway position suggest a loss of spatial orientation during the instrument phase of flight.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness during the ILS approach and the decision to initiate a go-around at an altitude that did not allow for a safe climb-out. The aircraft struck terrain shortly after the maneuver began. The pilot was killed, while the passenger sustained minor injuries.
Safety message
Pilots conducting instrument approaches must maintain strict adherence to published procedures and altitudes. Relying on passengers for critical flight data monitoring is not a substitute for proper instrument scanning and cross-checking instruments.