Fatal Beech Baron Accident Near Dundee (G-RICK)

Flight Details and Accident Overview On 3 May 2015, a Beech 95-B55 Baron, registration G-RICK, was destroyed in a fatal accident west of Abernyte, near Dundee, Scotland. The aircraft, manufactured in 1972, was operated by a 37-year-old pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence with 3,900 hours of experience. The flight was a private positioning flight from Inverness to Dundee for an annual inspection, carrying one crew member and one passenger. Both occupants died from multiple injuries sustained during the impact sequence, with no medical or toxicological factors contributing to the accident. The aircraft was cleared for an ILS/DME approach to Runway 09 at Dundee Airport in suitable weather conditions, despite rain and wind. The pilot reported being 4 nm west of the runway on final approach, but the aircraft failed to arrive. A Search and Rescue helicopter located the wreckage on high ground 6.7 nm west of the airport threshold. The investigation determined that the instrument approach, conducted in IMC, was likely flown using range information based on GPS distance from the 'DND' NDB, located 2.6 nm west of the airport, instead of DME distance from the runway. The aircraft first contacted the ground at approximately 900 ft amsl on a downslope, heading 098°(M) with wings level and landing gear extended. Both engines were producing power at impact, and no mechanical failures were found that could have contributed to the accident.