Background
A passenger aboard a light aircraft stated that during the final approach to land on runway 27, the sun, positioned directly ahead and just above the runway, caused him to become blinded and disoriented. He realized he was viewing the sun and runway through tree branches before the aircraft struck trees and crashed to the ground.
Accident Narrative
The passenger noted that neither he nor the pilot were wearing sunglasses or using the aircraft's sun visors at the time of the incident. The sun's position at the accident time and location was calculated to be at an altitude of 3.3 degrees on a bearing of 268.3 degrees, placing it directly in line with the final approach path to runway 27.
Investigation Findings
A postcrash examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of pre-existing failure or malfunction. The investigation did not specify any mechanical or system anomalies that might have contributed to the accident.