Overview
A single-occupant aircraft was destroyed after striking trees and crashing during a nighttime approach to Lake Placid. The pilot, the only person on board, sustained injuries in the accident. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of hauling contraband. At the time of the accident, the airport lacked lighting.
Accident Details
The accident occurred as the pilot was on approach to Lake Placid by night. According to the investigation, the pilot failed to realize that his altitude was too low, resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees. The airplane was subsequently destroyed. The pilot was completing a contraband flight, and the airport was unlit at the time of the crash.
Investigation Findings
The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be a collision with trees during a traffic pattern-circling approach by night. Contributing factors reported included misjudged distance and altitude, the hauling of contraband, and circling an unlit airport at night. The investigation did not specify any other causal factors.