On February 2, 2013, about 1924 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210L, N8465L, collided with terrain at Boise Air Terminal, Boise, Idaho. Mat-Tech Engineering LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and one pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage from impact forces. The cross-country aerial survey flight departed Twin Falls, Idaho, about 1530, with a planned destination of Boise. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed.
The pilot had been with the company about 2 weeks, and the passenger was on board to instruct the pilot on the use of the equipment associated with aerial survey work. The pilot had not flown this airplane so the passenger was also facilitating understanding of the airplane and its individual characteristics.
The pilot reported that the airplane had a full tank of fuel at departure, and the plan was to complete 3.5 hours of survey work; the work took about 3 hours. The pilot-rated passenger was to perform the radio calls. In addition to the automated terminal information system airport weather, the pilot asked approach control about the conditions at the airport. The pilot had apprehension about the weather, but proceeded to Boise for lack of a more suitable airport nearby that reported weather.
The pilot reported that he received an IFR clearance, and was on an instrument landing system approach to runway 10R. As he neared decision height, he observed a light, which he believed was part of the airport environment, so he continued the approach. However, when he determined that the approach was unstable, it was too late to execute a missed approach, and the landing was short of the runway. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane safely under their own power.
The pilot did not complete the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.