What happened
On the night of the accident, the pilot departed on a long cross-country flight under instrument meteorological conditions. Approximately two hours after takeoff, air traffic control vectored the pilot to intercept the localizer for the ILS runway 36 approach at the destination airport. The pilot acknowledged intercepting the localizer and received clearance for the approach. Following this, air traffic control terminated radar services and approved a change in radio frequency. After acknowledging these instructions, no further communication was established with the pilot.
Data retrieved from a handheld GPS unit indicated that during the final four minutes of the flight, the Cessna (type not specified in source) performed several left and right turns near the localizer course while descending toward the airport. The aircraft never successfully established itself on the localizer course. The final recorded position from the GPS at 2118 hours placed the aircraft at an altitude of 779 feet MSL, approximately 2,000 feet southeast of runway 36. This altitude was below the published decision altitude of 972 feet MSL.
Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at a very low altitude. One witness described the sound as similar to a motorcycle at full throttle, while another observed the airplane passing roughly 40 to 50 feet above the trees with the engines running correctly. This witness noted the illumination of treetops and woods by the landing lights immediately before the aircraft collided with terrain.
Weather conditions at the time included visibility of 2 statute miles, an overcast ceiling of 300 feet, and winds from 200 degrees at 6 knots gusting to 15 knots. The temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit with a dewpoint of 51 degrees Fahrenheit.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying below the published decision altitude for the approach.
- GPS data showed the aircraft failed to maintain the localizer course during the descent.