On January 22, 1992, a Mooney M20J (registration N201YR) operated by Kissock, Darryl C. was involved in an aviation accident near Austin, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT DESCENDING BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND NOT PERFORMING THE BRIEFED MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE DARK NIGHT, FOG, DRIZZLE, AND LOW CEILING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot executing a VOR/DME approach descended below the published minimum descent altitude, touched down halfway down the runway, and aborted the landing. The aircraft then maneuvered at low level, struck power lines, fence posts, and terrain.
Accident Sequence
The pilot conducted a VOR/DME instrument approach and descended below the published minimum descent altitude of 579 feet above ground level. The airplane touched down approximately halfway down the runway, after which the pilot aborted the landing. A witness observed the airplane depart and maneuver at low altitude around the airport before losing sight of the aircraft. The airplane subsequently flew under a set of power lines and impacted fence posts and the terrain.
Pilot and Passenger Statements
The pilot stated that a malfunction of the vertical speed indicator and altimeter occurred during the instrument approach. In contrast, the passenger reported that the pilot attempted to fly around the airport at less than 100 feet in very poor visibility and that there were no instrument problems during the approach.
Post-accident Examination
No system failure was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board by the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator. Testing of the pitot-static system did not reveal any problems. The airplane's pitot-static system head separated from the airframe during the impact sequence with the fence posts.