Introduction
A 4-place single-engine airplane impacted the water while executing an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions. The aircraft, which was destined for a location in Florida for sale, was not recovered following the accident. A partial debris field was located in the river, and the airplane is presumed to be destroyed. The maintenance records, reportedly aboard the airplane, were also not recovered.
Flight History
The instrument-rated private pilot, who held 1,014 hours of flight experience, was vectored to the ILS Runway 22R approach. Radar data indicated the airplane remained left of the final approach course throughout the approach before turning right of the course line approximately 2.5 miles short of the final approach fix (FAF). The airplane then turned left of the final approach course and returned to the localizer course line approximately one mile from the FAF. When abeam the FAF, the airplane was slightly left of the course line. About one mile from the runway threshold, it drifted right of the course line. As the airplane approached the airport, it initiated a 180-degree left turn, overflying the airport.
Witness Observations
A witness located on the airport reported observing the accident airplane slightly east of runway 18 at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl), flying at a high rate of speed. The witness stated that the airplane "made a drastic pull-up and a steep bank of at least 45 degrees" as it reentered the clouds approximately 200 feet agl.
Navigational Aids
All navigational aids associated with the approach were reported to be functional at the time of the accident. An instrument flight instructor who witnessed the accident reported that 30 to 40 minutes prior, he flew the same approach under similar weather conditions and did not experience any anomalies with the localizer or glide slope. No other irregularities with any navigational aids at the airport were reported by any pilots around the time of the accident.