Accident Sequence
The commercial pilot and three passengers departed on a cross-country flight in a twin-engine airplane. As the flight neared the destination airport, the pilot canceled his instrument flight rules clearance. The approach controller transferred the flight to the tower controller, and the pilot reported that the airplane was about 2 miles from the airport. However, the approach controller contacted the tower controller to report that the airplane was 200 feet over a nearby joint military airport at that time. GPS data revealed that when the pilot reported being 2 miles from the destination airport, the actual location was about 10 miles from the destination and 2 miles from the joint military airport. The airplane impacted a remote wooded area about 8 miles northwest of the destination airport.
Weather and Visibility
At the time of the accident, thunderstorm cells were present in the area. A review of weather information indicated that the pilot's view of the airport was likely obscured because the airplane was in an area of light precipitation, restricting visibility.
Airport Information
The instrument flight rules approach course for the destination airport passes over the joint military airport. The Federal Aviation Administration chart supplement for the destination airport noted the airport's proximity to the other airport. It is likely that the pilot mistook the other airport for the destination airport due to reduced visibility from weather.
Accident Characteristics
The circumstances of the accident were consistent with controlled flight into terrain.
Toxicology Findings
Ethanol detected in the pilot's blood specimens but not in urine specimens was consistent with postmortem bacteria production. Carbon monoxide and cyanide detected in the pilot's blood specimens were consistent with inhalation after the postimpact fire.