On October 7, 2005, a Mooney M20K (registration N1163A) was involved in an aviation accident near Ithaca, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to comply with the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot on a VOR approach reported being 3.5 miles from the airport, then encountered trees 50 feet ahead. The aircraft impacted trees and the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot could not explain the descent.
Accident Sequence
During a VOR approach, the pilot radioed the control tower and reported being 3.5 miles from the airport. Shortly thereafter, the pilot observed the tops of trees approximately 50 feet in front of the airplane. There was insufficient time to arrest the descent, and the aircraft struck trees and then the ground. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Pilot Statement
The pilot later stated, "I can not really explain why I let the airplane descend too low. I felt comfortable with the approach throughout. I simply was too low, too far away from [the] airport." The pilot did not provide further explanation for the low altitude.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage from the impact with trees and the ground.