On May 9, 1996, a Beech A36 (registration N65792) operated by Paul P. Cutting was involved in an aviation accident near Olean, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper IFR procedure by not maintaining the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during the ILS localizer approach. Factors relating to the accident were: low ceiling, fog, and weather below minimums for landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an ILS localizer approach to runway 22 at Olean, the airplane collided with trees about 600 feet left of the runway. Weather was reported as zero ceiling and zero visibility with light rain and fog.
Accident Details
The pilot was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) localizer approach to runway 22 at Olean. At the time of the accident, the hourly weather observation reported an indefinite ceiling of zero and visibility of zero with light rain and fog.
During the approach, the airplane collided with trees located approximately 600 feet to the left of the runway.
Regulatory Context
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.175 states that no pilot may descend below the authorized minimum descent altitude (MDA) unless the flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach being used. The ILS runway 22 localizer approach at Olean required a visibility of 1 mile.