Accident Sequence
The pilot of an aircraft was arriving at the Milwaukee/Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport and made two attempts to use the localizer 15L approach. After the second missed approach, he decided to divert to Milwaukee/General Mitchell Field (MKE). At that time, he was advised that the weather at MKE was 300-foot overcast ceiling, 1/4 mile visibility with fog, and RVR 3500 feet. Throughout the diversion, the pilot was continually updated on the RVR at MKE, which initially varied between about 6000 and 3500 feet. After being cleared for the approach, the pilot acknowledged the clearance and was instructed to contact the tower frequency but delayed the frequency change until reminded. When he finally contacted the tower, he was cleared to land. He was then advised that the RVR had dropped to 2000 feet, and about one minute later, he was told it was 1800 feet, but the pilot did not reply. Approximately another minute later, an ELT signal was heard for about two seconds, and radio contact was lost with the aircraft.
Wreckage and Examination
The aircraft had hit a treetop, crashed, and burned about 1/4 mile from the approach end of Runway 7. No pre-impact part failure or malfunction was found.
Weather Conditions
Ten minutes after the accident, the weather at MKE was reported as: 100 feet obscured, 1/4 mile visibility with fog. The minimums for the approach were 200-foot ceiling and 1/2 mile visibility or RVR 2400 feet.