Accident Report
A pilot reported that he entered a left traffic pattern for runway 30 during night visual meteorological conditions. Shortly after turning final approach, the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot stated that he thought he had sufficient altitude during the initial phase of the final approach based on his altimeter indication. The three occupants were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Pilot Statement
The pilot indicated that he must have had the wrong altimeter setting for the destination airport. The altimeter setting used during the approach resulted in an indication error that led him to believe he was higher than actual.
Aircraft Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the pilot had an improper altimeter setting, which resulted in an altimeter indication error of +800 feet mean sea level. The airframe and engine showed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Airport Information
Runway 30 was equipped with medium intensity runway edge lights and a 4-light precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light system.