Incident Overview
A pilot was cleared for an ILS localizer approach to runway 8 during nighttime conditions. The weather briefing included: 200-foot scattered cloud layer, 3,200-foot broken layer, temperature and dew point both 16 degrees Celsius, calm wind, and visibility ranging from west through northeast of 1/4 mile. The pilot later reported that during the approach, the instrument panel lights were inoperative. Despite this, he continued the approach using the dome light to illuminate the instruments.
Approach and Communications
The pilot reported that he could not see the runway lights. The air traffic controller then vectored the flight for another approach and advised the pilot to activate the runway lights by keying his radio on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The pilot accomplished this and subsequently advised the controller that the runway was in sight, indicating he would circle back and return to land. The controller cleared the flight for a visual approach to the runway.
Final Approach and Accident
Before landing, the pilot was advised of dense fog at the approach end of runway 8. The pilot responded that the runway remained in sight. As the airplane was on short final, a weather observer saw the aircraft enter an area of dense fog but did not see it during the landing roll. A search was initiated, and the airplane was found where it had impacted an upslope embankment approximately 200 yards short of the runway.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not provide a probable cause. The sequence of events highlights the pilot's decision to continue an approach with inoperative instrument panel lights and subsequent encounter with dense fog during the visual approach.