What happened
During a flight in night instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot was executing an NDB approach and circling to land when the aircraft impacted an open field approximately 1.5 miles south of the destination airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the impact.
The pilot reported receiving the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) broadcast while en route, which indicated visibility was above the required minimums for the approach, but the ceiling was below the minimum descent altitude (MDA). Although the pilot attempted to contact air traffic control to arrange a diversion, he was unable to establish communication and elected to continue to the destination.
The pilot stated that upon reaching the MDA, he observed the runway directly below and slightly to his left, with plans to circle left for landing. He had no further recollection of the events following that point. Witnesses near the airport observed lights from an aircraft in the area; one witness described the weather as foggy with heavy mist, while another noted the aircraft appeared very low and was banking, with its right wing higher than the left.
The investigation
A post-accident examination confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions occurred prior to the accident. Airport AWOS records indicated an overcast ceiling of 400 feet above ground level, while the MDA for the instrument approach was 694 feet.