Accident Overview
On an approach to Ukiah Airport, a pilot was cleared for a LOC/DME Runway 15 approach. The approach began at the TUCCI intersection, 15.5 nautical miles north of the runway. The last radar contact, at 1311:04, showed the aircraft approximately 5 nautical miles north of the airport.
History of the Flight
At 1313, the Ukiah Flight Service Station (FSS) requested the aircraft's position. The pilot reported being 5.5 miles on the DME (5.5 nautical miles north of the airport). No further communications were received. The aircraft subsequently crashed on rising mountainous terrain about 4 nautical miles south of the airport at an elevation of 200 feet.
Meteorological Information
At 1324, weather conditions at Ukiah were reported as 1000 feet obscured, visibility 1 1/2 miles with light rain and fog, wind from 130 degrees at 8 knots.
Investigation Findings
Investigation revealed that the DME was selected to the #2 navigation receiver, which was tuned to the Ukiah VOR, located about 6 nautical miles south-southeast of the airport. For the LOC/DME approach, the DME should have been selected on the #1 navigation receiver, which was tuned to the LOC/DME at the airport.
The altitude at the crash site was 200 feet, consistent with rising terrain south of the airport.