Summary
An airplane on approach to an airport collided with the ground approximately 0.4 miles from the runway threshold, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants.
Details
The aircraft was observed approaching from the northwest. As it crossed the northeast end of the runway, it initiated a right turn to cross the runway about the midpoint, positioning for a left downwind leg for landing on runway 5. The airplane's altitude was estimated to be between 200 and 300 feet above the ground, and its landing gear was extended. The witness lost sight of the aircraft after that point. The airplane subsequently struck the ground about 0.4 miles from the threshold.
At the time, the morning sun was about 10° above the horizon and approximately 33° to the right of the runway centerline. This sun position would have been directly in the pilot's face during the flight from the last departure point. The landing runway sloped upward from the landing threshold.
The lower-than-normal traffic pattern, the sun's position relative to the airplane's flight path, and the runway slope may have caused the pilot to perceive his altitude as being higher than it actually was.
Investigation
The official investigation determined the probable cause as a flight into terrain during the approach phase, specifically on base leg or base-to-final. The findings included that the pilot misjudged proper altitude and failed to maintain clearance, with contributing factors of sunglare and uphill terrain conditions. The pilot's visual/aural detection was also cited as a finding.