Incident Overview
A pilot was cleared for a visual approach to runway 21 and received the current altimeter setting of 29.60 inHg. The approach was conducted under dark night conditions with gusty crosswinds, on a lighted runway situated in rural mountainous and hilly terrain. During the final approach segment, the aircraft collided with a tree located approximately 3,500 feet from the runway threshold at an elevation of about 1,300 ft MSL. The airport elevation is 1,203 ft MSL.
Accident Sequence
After the collision, the aircraft came to rest on a hillside at approximately 1,280 ft MSL. A photograph taken by rescue workers showed the altimeter indicating 1,430 ft MSL. The altimeter setting found in the wreckage was 29.74 inHg. The pilot reported that they could not recall setting the altimeter prior to the approach and had no memory of the accident itself. The pilot also stated that no pre-impact deficiencies were present in the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
The altimeter was tested and found to operate properly. The altimeter setting observed from the wreckage (29.74 inHg) differed from the setting issued by ATC (29.60 inHg). Recorded winds at the time were gusting to 18 knots; when the tower cleared the aircraft to land, the controller indicated gusts to 16 knots.