Accident Overview
An aircraft crashed approximately nine miles short of the runway during an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Warwick, Rhode Island, in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Both occupants were killed. The accident occurred outside the outer marker of the approach procedure.
Flight History
The aircraft had been cleared to descend from 13,000 feet to 3,000 feet. The copilot had reported the aircraft as inside the outer marker, though the crash site was outside it. The crew did not report any aircraft problems during the flight.
Weather and Approach Procedure
The approach procedure required crossing the outer marker at 1,800 feet mean sea level (MSL) at five miles from touchdown. Minimum weather conditions for the approach were a ceiling of 200 feet and visibility of 1/2 mile. The surface observation at the time of the accident reported a 300-foot overcast ceiling and 1 1/2 miles visibility.
Investigation
Post-accident examination of the wreckage failed to disclose any malfunctions or failures in the aircraft's equipment. The official probable cause attributed the accident to an in-flight collision with trees, with findings that the pilot in command did not use the IFR procedure, descended below decision height, and failed to maintain altitude.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was an in-flight collision with trees during approach, with the pilot in command not using the IFR procedure, descending below decision height, and not maintaining altitude.