Incident Narrative
The pilot stated that the flight was not a charter operation. He decided to attempt the localizer 17 approach to Olathe despite the area forecast indicating zero-zero conditions. According to the pilot, the last memory he had during the flight was bracketing the localizer and reading 1,600 feet on the altimeter. Subsequently, he recalled being on the ground inside the wreckage, tending to the injuries he sustained and attempting to stay warm.
Accident Sequence
A post-accident investigation determined that the aircraft was positioned to the left of the localizer course when it struck two trees at an altitude of 12 feet above ground level (1,062 feet mean sea level). At the time, the aircraft was in a 30-degree right bank. Following the tree strike, the aircraft executed a flat 360-degree right pirouette over some small trees, resulting in the left wing being torn off. The aircraft then impacted the ground and slid for approximately 600 feet. A post-crash fire emerged from the right wing fuel tank but extinguished on its own.
Investigation Findings
The Federal Aviation Administration conducted an operational flight test of the localizer and found it to be within acceptable limits. Additionally, a leak check of the aircraft's static system and a bench check of both altimeters yielded satisfactory results.