1991-12-27: Piper PA-24-250 — Johnson Sales And Service

1991-12-27: Piper PA-24-250 — Johnson Sales And Service — Missoula, MT

Casualties unknown • Missoula, MT, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION, FAILURE TO PERFORM A MISSED APPROACH, AND IMPROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS INCLUDE POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-24 IMPACTED THE TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE AN ILS APPROAH DURING WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE BELOW MINIMUMS. THE PILOT, WHO HAD DEPARTED WITHOUT FIRST GETTING A WEATHER BRIEFING, STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. HE HAD ALREADY ATTEPMTED THE APPROACH TWICE, BEFORE LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. SINCE HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AN ALTERNATE WITHIN FUEL RANGE, HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT THE APPROACH, EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW IT WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW DECISION HEIGHT, AN EVENTUALLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-12-27 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Missoula, MT?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-12-27 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N6408P, operated by Johnson Sales And Service, at Missoula, MT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION, FAILURE TO PERFORM A MISSED APPROACH, AND IMPROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS INCLUDE POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS.

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