Background
The pilot was executing the localizer 27 approach at Windham Airport, which has an elevation of 247 feet. He had 29 hours of night flight time and 3 hours of actual instrument flight time. He obtained his instrument rating just over one month before the accident.
Accident Sequence
On the first attempt, the pilot reported being too high and executed a missed approach. On the second attempt, he crossed the final approach fix at the published altitude and descended to the minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 1,020 feet. At 1,100 feet, he asked the passenger to look for ground lights. Shortly thereafter, the airplane struck trees and crashed. The accident site was on the localizer course inbound, 3.8 DME miles from the airport.
Investigation
Examination of the airplane, including the altimeter, disclosed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.