Accident Overview
On March 11, 2020, at approximately 0636 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T (registration N599ST) was destroyed when it crashed near Jasper County Airport (RZL) in Rensselaer, Indiana. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The pilot obtained weather information and filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan through an online service on the day of the accident. The aircraft departed Purdue University Airport (LAF) at 0607 on an IFR flight plan to RZL. At 0620, air traffic control cleared the pilot for the area navigation (RNAV) approach to runway 18. Six minutes later, the pilot was instructed to switch to the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and cancel the flight plan via flight service after landing. The pilot acknowledged, and no further communications were recorded.
Radar data showed the aircraft proceeding inbound and descending along the approach course. At 0635:49, it crossed the runway approach threshold at about 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The aircraft then entered a gradual left turn while continuing to descend. The final data point, recorded at 0636:07, placed the aircraft about 0.14 mile east of the runway at approximately 800 feet msl. The airport elevation is 698 feet.
Pilot Statement
Due to his injuries and hospitalization, the pilot was unable to provide a statement until several months after the accident. He reported that his memory of the event was vague. He recalled obtaining a weather briefing before the flight and departing without a flight plan (though ATC data indicated an IFR flight plan was filed). He stated that the automated weather station at RZL reported overcast clouds at 400 feet and one mile visibility, leading him to conduct an RNAV/GPS approach to runway 18. Unable to see the runway, he executed a missed approach. He believed that during the missed approach, he either made a "bad input" into the autopilot or the autopilot commanded a slight turn or descent.
Weather Conditions
The RNAV 18 approach allowed for a minimum descent altitude of 250 feet above the runway elevation and required visibility between 1-3/8 and 1 mile for landing, depending on aircraft capabilities. At 0635, the automated weather reporting station at RZL recorded calm winds, one-half mile visibility in fog, and an overcast ceiling at 200 feet above ground level.
Pilot Information
Federal Aviation Administration records indicated the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating but did not possess an instrument rating.
Wreckage Examination
The aircraft wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility for examination. Extensive fire and thermal damage limited the inspection. Much of the cabin and instrument panel was destroyed. Flight control continuity from the cockpit to the ailerons, rudder, and stabilator was established, except for a broken cable segment that exhibited failure signatures consistent with fracture after exposure to the postimpact fire while under tension. The stabilator trim assembly was found at a neutral setting. The flap control rod position indicated a flaps-up setting. The nose and left main landing gear actuators were extended, consistent with the landing gear down position. The right landing gear was impact-separated, with its actuator observed at about mid-travel. Examination of the engine and propeller revealed no preimpact abnormalities.