Accident Sequence
During an instrument approach, a 75-year-old private pilot acknowledged all ATC vectors and instructions but did not operate the airplane accordingly. The airplane flew through the ILS localizer course during the initial vectoring, prompting ATC to cancel the clearance for the approach. ATC then re-vectored the airplane for another attempt; however, the pilot again failed to comply with the vectors. After being cleared for the approach, the pilot initiated a descent of about 1,000 feet per minute at a speed of 150 knots. The airplane struck a power line approximately 1,400 feet from the runway threshold, impacted terrain, and was destroyed.
Contributing Factors
The weather conditions at the time of the accident were below the published approach visibility minimums. Additionally, the pilot's medical certificate and the airplane's annual inspection had expired. Toxicological analysis revealed that the pilot was under the influence of a potent prescription narcotic during the approach. The pilot had a history of severe cardiovascular disease.