Event Summary
A pilot attempted a localizer 10-approach to Macon Downtown Airport (MAC) after being radar vectored to intercept the localizer and cleared for the approach. Shortly after, the pilot reported to approach control that he had overshot the localizer. The controller provided vectors to re-intercept and cleared him for another approach. The pilot then reported difficulty staying on the localizer and requested to divert to Middle Georgia Airport (MCN) for an ILS runway 5-approach.
Approach Attempts
At MCN, the tower reported that the pilot had panicked during the approach and executed a missed approach. The pilot contacted the tower, stated he had lost the localizer, and requested another attempt. He was given radar vectors to the ILS. About half a mile from the approach, the pilot drifted off course and requested to circle around for another try. After two more landing attempts at MCN, the pilot was vectored to Peachtree City Airport-Falcon (FFC) for a localizer 31-approach. During that approach, radar contact was lost, and the airplane collided with trees approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 31.
Aircraft Examination
Postcrash examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, systems, engine, and propeller found no anomalies. The pilot had received his instrument rating less than six months before the accident and had accumulated 17.1 hours of actual instrument flight time and 133 hours of simulated instrument flight time.