Accident Details
Two private pilots departed at night in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions to practice instrument approach procedures. The left-seat pilot held an instrument rating, while the right-seat pilot did not. The arrival airport was surrounded by water on three sides. At the time of the accident, the moon was below the horizon.
Radar Data
Radar data revealed that the airplane followed the southeasterly procedure track for the intermediate segment of a published localizer approach. The airplane flew through the localizer 190-degree final approach course and did not change its heading to intercept the course for another 30 seconds. Once established on the localizer course, the airplane performed S-turns back and forth across the course throughout the approach.
Descent and Deviation
The airplane crossed the east side of the final approach fix at 1,200 feet, which was 300 feet below the minimum altitude for the intermediate segment of the approach. It then began a constant descent of about 850 feet per minute. For the next two miles, the airplane turned gradually to the southwest and crossed the localizer centerline at 100 feet, shortly before radar contact was lost. The minimum descent altitude for the final segment was 340 feet.
Final Moments and Wreckage
The airplane crashed two miles prior to the runway of intended landing, which was equipped with pilot-controlled precision approach path indicator lighting. The wreckage path was 520 feet long through trees, with several pieces of angularly cut wood found along the wreckage path and in the engine air inlet. Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.