Accident Overview
According to the pilot, the flight from Toledo to the Kenosha area proceeded without incident until the final approach. While executing the VOR approach for runway 14, about two miles from the runway threshold, the aircraft impacted the ground and was destroyed. The pilot stated that the last indication he remembered before the collision was reading 1,100 feet mean sea level (MSL) on his altimeter, with the correct altimeter setting in use.
Altimeter Examination
Following the accident, the altimeter—a non-encoding unit—was subjected to a full-scale error check at an independent avionics repair facility. The test results showed significant discrepancies: at a simulated altitude of 1,000 feet, the altimeter indicated 400 feet lower than actual; at a simulated altitude of 20,000 feet, it indicated 950 feet lower. The altimeter had last been inspected by a certified repair station approximately 19 months before the accident.
Investigation Findings
No determination of probable cause has been issued by the investigating authority. The available information consists solely of the pilot's recollection and the altimeter performance data. The aircraft was destroyed upon ground impact, and the pilot's statement provides the only account of the moments preceding the accident.