Casualties unknown

2000-11-27: Piper PA-28R-180 (N4541J) — Danville, IL

Danville, IL, US

On November 27, 2000, a Piper PA-28R-180 (registration N4541J) was involved in an aviation accident near Danville, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during the instrument approach. Factors were the low ceilings, the pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment and glidepath during the approach, his lack of recent instrument experience, and his failure to… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An instrument-rated pilot's aircraft was destroyed after impacting terrain about 6 miles from the airport while on an ILS approach. Weather was 500-foot overcast with 5 miles visibility. Radar data showed the aircraft deviated from the localizer and remained below the glide slope.

Accident Overview

The aircraft was destroyed when it impacted the ground approximately 6 miles from the airport while conducting an ILS approach. The pilot held an instrument rating. No preexisting anomalies were found with the aircraft.

Pilot Experience

A review of the pilot's logbook revealed no entry indicating that the holding procedures requirements listed in FAR 61.57 (c) had been performed. In the previous six months, the pilot had logged only 1.3 hours of simulated instrument flight time and 0.9 hours of actual instrument flight time.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, reported weather included a 500-foot overcast ceiling and visibility of 5 miles.

Approach and Radar Data

Radar data and voice transcripts indicated that air traffic control instructed the pilot to turn right to a 180-degree heading to intercept the ILS 21 approach. However, radar data showed that the aircraft turned left before intercepting the localizer course, then proceeded through the localizer course before commencing a right turn to intercept the 209-degree approach bearing.

When the aircraft was about 9.6 nautical miles from the localizer antenna, it was approximately 0.7 miles left of the localizer course. Altitude returns from radar indicated that the aircraft remained below the standard 3-degree glide slope throughout the approach. The last radar return placed the aircraft about 400 feet below the 3-degree glide slope.

Wreckage Location

The aircraft wreckage was located about 0.3 nautical miles and 196 degrees from the ILS outer marker antenna.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22264. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.