Approach Procedure
According to the clearance, the pilot was to conduct an NDB approach to Morrisville Airport. The procedure required proceeding outbound from the initial approach fix (IAF) on a heading of 050°, performing a procedure turn at or above 4,000 ft within 10 nautical miles of the NDB, then proceeding inbound to the NDB on a course of 230° with a minimum altitude of 3,000 ft to the final approach fix (FAF). From the FAF, the aircraft was to fly a course of 223° for 2.4 miles to the airport with a minimum descent altitude of 2,000 ft.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he departed the IAF outbound on a heading of 050° for about two minutes, completed the procedure turn, and then took a heading of approximately 245° to 250° to compensate for wind. He stated that he descended to 3,000 ft, then to 2,500 ft after crossing the NDB. The pilot indicated that the needle swing seemed appropriate during the approach, but he subsequently realized he was off course.
FAA Inspector Findings
An FAA inspector stated that during the approach, a crosswind blew the airplane off course to the east. This deviation resulted in an impact with Elmore Mountain, which is located southeast of the final approach fix.
Pilot Experience
The pilot received his instrument rating on April 13, 1996. At the time of the incident, he had accumulated 4.7 hours of actual instrument time. The inspector noted that the pilot had completed only one ADF approach in non-mountainous terrain since the issuance of his instrument rating.