On February 5, 2002, a Piper PA-31T (registration N794CA) was involved in an aviation accident near Hobbs, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the pilot's diverted attention. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a dark night IMC cross-country flight, a pilot executing a missed approach became distracted after autopilot disengagement, descended through the glide slope, and struck the ground short of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed.
Accident Sequence
During a dark night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) cross-country flight, the pilot was being vectored onto an ILS approach. After stabilizing, the approach was described as normal. At decision altitude, the pilot indicated that he could see the approach lights and the runway but was not in a position to land, so he executed a missed approach. After being vectored around for another approach, he stated that he was on the localizer but high on the glide slope.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that after giving a little nose-down pitch, he became distracted when the autopilot became accidentally disengaged. He stated that he inadvertently descended through the glide slope and impacted the ground short of the runway. The pilot further noted that the first indication that he was low was when the aircraft struck the ground. The aircraft was destroyed on impact.
ILS Inspection
A facility check conducted by the FAA of the ILS found all parameters within normal specifications.