What happened
During a landing at the airport, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 was performing a VOR approach to runway 19R. The flight crew initially encountered intermittent instrument meteorological conditions, but the aircraft eventually descended below the cloud deck into visual meteorological conditions.
The first officer requested to continue the VOR approach for proficiency purposes, which the captain approved. During the maneuver to align with the runway centerline, the crew became disoriented by the precision approach path indicator lights for runway 19L, which appeared to be at full brightness. The first officer sighted runway 19L while still three miles from the field and above the minimum descent altitude; the captain then identified runway 19R.
While attempting to maneuver into alignment with runway 19R, the aircraft overshot the centerline. As the airplane passed over the approach end of the runway, it remained to the left of the centerline. The first officer applied right aileron control to correct the position, and the captain ordered a go-around. Despite the application of takeoff engine power, the aircraft continued its descent, resulting in the right wingtip striking the runway at the same time the main landing gear made contact. There were no injuries following the incident, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation found no mechanical anomalies reported by the operator or the flight crew prior to the incident.