Accident Overview
The accident occurred when an airplane, returning from a 40-minute post-maintenance checkflight, landed long on the runway and continued off the end into a chain link fence.
Weather and Visibility Conditions
Nighttime darkness prevailed at the time of the accident. Airport weather, observed approximately 3 minutes after the event, reported visibility of 1/4 statute mile, vertical visibility of 100 feet, and a temperature and dew point both at 9 degrees Celsius. A sheriff's deputy at the accident site reported visibility of 50 to 100 yards in fog.
Flight and Approach Details
The pilot reported that the accident occurred while returning to the departure airport. He had received the airport weather from the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) recording and was aware that ground fog had developed. The pilot received air traffic clearance and executed an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. At decision height, he was in visual meteorological conditions, with the runway and approach lighting in sight.
Encounter with Fog and Landing
Continuing descent below decision height by visual reference, the pilot encountered dense fog and severe visibility restrictions at 50 to 75 feet above ground level. He determined that a go-around was not possible at that point and continued the landing approach. The airplane landed long on the runway and subsequently departed the end, contacting a chain link fence.