Procedure and Impact
The pilot arrived in the area of the planned destination and completed the outbound and inbound procedure turns for the NDB Runway 17 approach without reported incident. Almost immediately thereafter, the aircraft impacted a large oak tree about 15 feet above ground level (1265 feet MSL) on a hilltop located 12 miles north of and inbound to the airport. The pilot's minimum descent altitude (MDA) was 1840 feet MSL, or 590 feet above the ground where the impact occurred.
Altimeter and Static System Checks
The required checks of the altimeter and static system were current, having been conducted three months before the accident.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses near the accident site indicated that the visibility at about the time of the accident was near zero.
Pilot Background
Information from the pilot's logbooks revealed that he had flown into the airport on a regular basis for the last 4 to 5 years.