Accident Details
A single-engine aircraft was on an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach at night when it collided with trees. The initial impact occurred with a tree limb approximately 40 feet above ground level. The flight crew consisted of an owner who was a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) occupying the right front seat and a private pilot without an instrument rating in the left front seat.
During the arrival, the crew inquired about weather conditions at Esler Regional Airport, but the Flight Service Station (FSS) and the airport's UNICOM had closed earlier that night, and current weather observations were not available. Despite this, the crew elected to proceed with the approach to "see what it looks like."
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the reported weather at England Air Force Base, located nearby, was clear with visibility of 3 miles and fog. Later, at 0300 Central Daylight Time, the weather at England AFB was recorded as 600-foot overcast ceiling, partial obscuration, and fog.
Witness Accounts
At approximately 0247 Central Daylight Time, two witnesses heard the aircraft flying low over their homes just before the crash. They reported that the engine sounded normal prior to impact. One witness, a highway patrolman less than 150 yards from the crash site, reported the accident and initiated a search, but was delayed in locating the aircraft due to darkness and fog.
The CFI had been awake since 0400 the previous day and continued the trip to return to work.