On July 16, 2006, a Beech A36 (registration N5363P) was involved in an aviation accident near Somerville, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot cancelled IFR on approach at night, encountered dense ground fog at 100 feet AGL, lost visual contact with the runway, initiated a go-around, but struck a tree and impacted terrain. METARs indicated low visibility due to fog.
Accident Sequence
As the airplane approached the destination airport at night, the pilot canceled the instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. While on final approach, the airplane entered a dense ground fog bank approximately 100 feet above ground level and about one-quarter mile from the runway threshold. The pilot lost visual contact with the runway environment when the airplane's landing light reflected off the fog, causing temporary blindness. The pilot initiated a go-around, but moments later the airplane struck a tree and impacted terrain.
Weather Information
The pilot reported obtaining the current Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) report minutes before the accident, which indicated the field was within visual flight rules (VFR) parameters. The pilot was also aware of the possibility of ground fog. The meteorological aerodrome report (METAR) for the time of the accident included 1 statute mile visibility in fog and vertical visibility of 100 feet. The METARs for the preceding four hours showed visibility equal to or less than 2 miles due to fog and mist.
What happened in the 16 Jul 2006 Beech A36 accident near Somerville, NJ?
A pilot cancelled IFR on approach at night, encountered dense ground fog at 100 feet AGL, lost visual contact with the runway, initiated a go-around, but struck a tree and impacted terrain. METARs indicated low visibility due to fog.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Jul 2006 involved a Beech A36, registration N5363P, at Somerville, NJ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather.
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