Accident Narrative
The pilot contacted approach control and requested a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to the airport. During the approach, the pilot attempted to maintain VFR but was unable due to low ceilings and haze. The controller then cleared the pilot for a localizer approach to the runway. While conducting the localizer approach, the airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), prompting a minimum safe altitude warning alert from the controller. The controller asked the pilot if he had the airport in sight. The pilot replied that he did not and stated he was underneath the clouds. The controller cleared the pilot to change frequency, after which no further communications were received. The last radar return from the target was in the area of the accident site at a mode C reported altitude of 300 feet mean sea level (msl), approximately 140 feet above ground level. The airplane collided with two static cables located adjacent to a high-tension tower about 1.5 miles east of the airport. The tower was 118 feet tall and the terrain elevation was 164 feet. The airplane then impacted the terrain and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Information
On the morning of the accident, the pilot received his complex and high-performance airplane endorsements. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated 237 total flight hours and 15 flight hours in the accident airplane. The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in that airplane. Review of the pilot's logbook disclosed that no instrument flights or approaches were recorded in the preceding 6 months of logged flights.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident.