What happened
During a circling instrument approach, the pilot descended to 1,340 feet MSL and continued to 20 DME but was unable to clear the clouds. The pilot subsequently descended to 1,100 feet MSL and broke through the cloud layer at the south end of the runway. After remaining clear of clouds, the pilot entered a left, downwind circling approach to runway 15 with a north entry.
While in the middle of a turn, the left wing clipped the uppermost small branches of a tree. The pilot responded by pulling the aircraft higher for clearance and continued approximately one-quarter to one-half mile to land on runway 15 without further incident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact with the trees.
At the time of the event, weather conditions included winds from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots, with a visibility of 3 statute miles in mist. The sky was overcast at 300 feet above ground level, and the altimeter setting was 29.87 inches of mercury. Rain was present between 1416 and 1428.
Findings
Under the published instrument approach procedure, the circling minimum descent altitude was 1,340 feet MSL with a weather minima of 1 statute mile visibility.