Accident Description
During an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 12 at Huntington (HTS), the aircraft contacted the terrain with its left wing tip, subsequently cartwheeled, and came to rest inverted. The minimum visibility required for the ILS approach is 3/4 of a mile; however, the pilot was informed en route that the reported visibility at HTS was 1/8 of a mile.
Approach Sequence
The pilot executed a missed approach on the first ILS attempt. During the missed approach climb, the aircraft's transponder code was changed to 7600, indicating a communication failure. Radar data showed that after the second ILS approach, the aircraft made a climbing left turn. Approximately 2 miles southeast of the airport, at an altitude of 2,100 feet, the aircraft initiated a sharp right turn, after which the radar target disappeared.
Collision Details
The aircraft contacted the terrain on a heading of 260°, in the area between runway 30 and the parallel taxiway. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause as an in-flight collision with terrain during the circling phase of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR). Contributing findings included: weather conditions below approach/landing minimums; improper IFR procedure by the pilot in command; failure to follow procedures/directives; failure to perform a missed approach; and improper use of air/ground communications by the pilot in command.