What happened
The pilot had been cleared for a VOR runway 14 approach. During the descent, he reported reaching the Sleet intersection, which serves as a fix on the NDB approach procedure. At this point, the aircraft was observed flying over the airport on an easterly heading. A UNICOM operator subsequently heard the pilot state that he was turning final.
However, before the aircraft could land, it struck trees and crashed approximately 0.6 miles east of the airport. Witnesses reported a ceiling of 200 feet with visibility between 1/4 to 1/2 mile. A weather study indicated cloud bases were near 600 feet MSL, with visibility below the clouds less than 1 mile. The minimum descent altitude (MDA) and circling minimum altitude for the approach were 1,180 feet, while the airport elevation was 540 feet.
During the arrival phase, before reaching the VOR initial approach fix (IAF), located 17.3 miles northwest of the airport, the Baltimore controller cleared the pilot to the minimum vectoring altitude, which was 400 feet below the IAF altitude. The controller delayed advising the pilot that radar contact had been lost for 8.5 minutes. After reaching the IAF, the pilot delayed turning outbound toward the holding pattern. He continued the turn and intercepted the inbound course for the approach approximately 15 miles northwest of the airport. ARTCC radar data, which was not available to the controller at the time, showed the aircraft tracked to the right of the intended course until contact was lost approximately 4 miles northwest of the airport.
The investigation
No preimpact mechanical problems were found with the aircraft. The investigation focused on the loss of radar contact and the deviation from the published approach course in instrument meteorological conditions.
Findings
The pilot deviated from the assigned course and failed to maintain visual reference during a VOR approach in poor weather conditions. The loss of radar contact prior to reaching the final approach fix contributed to the inability of air traffic control to provide timely intervention. The aircraft impacted terrain while below the minimum descent altitude, indicating a failure to execute a missed approach when visual references were not established.
Safety message
Pilots must maintain strict adherence to published approach procedures and altitudes when radar contact is lost or when operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Failure to establish required visual references at the minimum descent altitude necessitates an immediate missed approach procedure.