Overview
On December 5, 2015, at approximately 1930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N47480, impacted terrain while on an instrument approach to runway 9R at Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) in Pontiac, Michigan. The private-rated pilot and a pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by IXI LLC of West Bloomfield, Michigan, under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Flight History
The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger had planned to take turns practicing instrument approaches. The pilot held an instrument rating, while the passenger was working toward obtaining one. With the passenger at the controls, they departed KPTK and conducted a practice instrument approach at an en route airport. They then proceeded to Abrams Municipal Airport (4D0), conducted another practice approach, and landed. After landing, the individuals swapped seats, with the passenger moving to the right seat and the accident pilot taking the left seat. They then departed 4D0 and returned to KPTK. En route, they obtained an instrument flight plan and, due to low visibility and ceiling, expected to conduct an approach in actual instrument conditions into KPTK.
Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that the KPTK tower controller cleared them for the instrument approach to runway 9R. The airplane was properly set up and configured for the approach. Initially, the aircraft was established on the localizer and glideslope but later drifted off course. The pilot-rated passenger stated that during the approach, he was concerned about ice on the wings and was looking outside as they passed the final approach fix. When he looked back at the instruments, he told the pilot that they were low and left of course. Moments later, the airplane impacted terrain.
Radar and Wreckage Data
Review of radar data indicated that the airplane initially intercepted the extended centerline of runway 9R. The flight reached the final approach fix at 3,000 feet, continued inbound, and descended in altitude. The track wandered slightly right of course a few times before deviating left of course. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane's right wing impacted trees short of the airport. The wreckage path extended for about 580 feet before the aircraft came to rest on its right side in an open field. Both wings had separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage and engine sustained heavy impact damage from the collision with trees and terrain.