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Aircraft Strikes Trees During Circling Instrument Approach (N21992)

Fishers, IN, US

On January 2, 2004, a Piper PA-32RT-300 (registration N21992) was involved in an aviation accident near Fishers, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during the circling approach, his continued descent below minimum descent altitude, and the pilot not performing a missed approach. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft sustained substantial damage after impacting trees during a circling instrument approach. The pilot reported descending through clouds and clipping tree branches on the downwind leg before landing without further incident.

Event Description

The aircraft was on a circling instrument approach when it struck trees, resulting in substantial damage. According to the pilot, the approach involved descending to an altitude of 1,340 feet mean sea level (MSL) while continuing inbound to 20 DME, but clouds were not cleared. The pilot then descended to 1,100 feet MSL and broke through the cloud layer at the south end of the runway.

Pilot Account

The pilot stated that after breaking out of clouds, they remained clear of clouds and entered a left downwind circling approach for runway 15. During the circling maneuver, the left wing clipped the uppermost small branches of a tree. The pilot then increased altitude to clear the obstruction and continued approximately one-quarter to one-half mile to land on runway 15 without further incident.

Weather Conditions

The reported weather at the time included wind from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots; visibility of 3 statute miles; mist; an overcast ceiling at 300 feet above ground level; and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury. Remarks indicated that rain began at 1416 and ended at 1428.

Instrument Approach Procedure

The published instrument approach procedure for the airport specified a circling minimum descent altitude of 1,340 feet MSL and a visibility minimum of 1 statute mile.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Jan 2004 Piper PA-32RT-300 accident near Fishers, IN?

An aircraft sustained substantial damage after impacting trees during a circling instrument approach. The pilot reported descending through clouds and clipping tree branches on the downwind leg before landing without further incident.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Jan 2004 Piper PA-32RT-300 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Jan 2004 involved a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N21992, at Fishers, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during the circling approach, his continued descent below minimum descent altitude, and the pilot not performing a missed approach. A factor was the trees the pilot impacted during the circling approach.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040107X00025. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.