On November 20, 1996, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N1394T) operated by Delta Aeronautics was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Worth, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilots' continued descent of the aircraft below decision height. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the dark night illumination, one of the pilot's impairment due to use of marihuana, and both pilots' fatigue. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A single-engine airplane crashed after hitting power lines short of the runway during a second ILS approach in fog. The pilots acknowledged ATC transmissions; no distress calls were made. Toxicological tests showed marihuana use by the private pilot.
Accident Details
During a dark night with instrument meteorological conditions, the pilots of a single-engine airplane—a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and a private pilot—executed a missed approach after reaching decision height during an ILS approach. The airport was reporting visibility of 1/8 mile in fog, below landing weather minimums. On a second ILS approach attempt, the airplane collided with power lines approximately 3/4 of a mile short of the runway threshold. The airplane, configured with landing gear extended and flaps extended 10 degrees, then impacted the ground and a highway guardrail roughly 300 feet south of the power lines. No distress calls were received from the airplane.
Flight and Personnel Information
ATC voice recordings revealed that both pilots were acknowledging radio transmissions prior to and during the approach. It could not be determined which pilot was at the controls at the time of the accident. The CFI had worked all day preceding the flight, and the private pilot had taken a nap in the afternoon preceding the flight.
Investigation Findings
No discrepancies were found with the airplane or its engine that could have prevented normal operation. Toxicological tests for the private pilot were positive for marihuana.