Accident Details
At 0103, the aircraft registered as N1072D collided with terrain and trees during approach to landing on Runway 09 at Kay Larkin Municipal Airport in Palatka, Florida. The flight had departed Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, about 2300 the previous day. No flight plan was filed for the trip.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane during the second approach. The airplane was over Runway 09 moving from west to east when it broke out of the overcast in a 30-degree right bank with a high descent rate. The witness instructed the pilot to level the wings and pull up. The witness then heard the engines increase to full power and observed the nose of the airplane rise, but the wings did not level and the descent rate did not change. Shortly after, the witness heard the sound of the collision and saw a large fireball.
Weather and Pilot Information
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were below instrument approach minimums. The pilot was not instrument rated.
Toxicology
A toxicological examination of the pilot revealed high levels of alcohol in the fluid specimens tested.