Accident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a personal flight that began with preparations at 0630 eastern daylight time. The flight departed from Orlando, Florida at 1000 eastern daylight time. The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a visual approach into an uncontrolled airstrip near Taylor, Missouri at 2100 central daylight time. The accident occurred in night instrument meteorological conditions.
Airstrip Details
The intended landing site was a 2,865-foot turf airstrip. This airstrip was not served by an approved instrument approach procedure. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, was attempting a visual approach despite the low visibility conditions.
Aircraft Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The aircraft appeared to have been functioning normally prior to impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate but did not possess an instrument rating. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules, though conditions at the destination were instrument meteorological.
Environmental Conditions
The accident occurred at night, with instrument meteorological conditions present at the uncontrolled airstrip. The pilot had initiated the flight earlier in the day under visual conditions in Orlando, but by the time of arrival, conditions had deteriorated.
Sequence of Events
The pilot began the day at 0630 EDT, departed at 1000 EDT from Orlando, and flew to the vicinity of Taylor, Missouri. At 2100 CDT, while on the visual approach, the airplane struck trees and then terrain short of the runway.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that the airplane was airworthy with no mechanical issues. The absence of an instrument approach procedure at the airstrip and the pilot's lack of instrument rating were noted as relevant circumstances.