Accident Details
A pilot conducting his first night trip for a company was on his fourth stop of a seven-leg trip. The previous three legs, totaling 3 hours and 9 minutes, were reported as uneventful. During the night arrival, the pilot was cleared by air traffic control to follow a Boeing 757 on final approach for runway 10R. He was cautioned three times about possible wake turbulence from the Boeing 757, and he confirmed that he had the jet in sight.
Witness and Radar Observations
A witness reported observing the accident aircraft roll 90 degrees perpendicular to the runway, assume a steep descending nose-low attitude, and collide with terrain while in close trail behind the Boeing 757. Radar data indicated that the accident airplane stayed above the flight path of the Boeing 757 at a distance of 3 to 5 miles out. The Boeing 757 touched down approximately 1,000 feet down the runway, while the accident airplane flew a steeper approach and impacted the runway about 700 feet from the approach end.
Pilot History and Advisory Information
According to the pilot's evaluation form dated April 8, 15 days before the accident, the pilot was counseled not to "dive for the runway toward the end of the approach." An Advisory Circular dated October 1, 1991, advises that when landing behind a larger aircraft on the same runway, pilots should stay at or above the larger aircraft's final approach flight path, note the touchdown point, and land beyond it.
Environmental and Mechanical Findings
The reported winds at the time of the accident were calm. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.