What happened
During an approach to runway 23, an aircraft flying under instrument meteorological conditions struck the ground. The flight was attempting a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach when it entered a descent through trees that ended in a ground impact. Local witnesses reported hearing a low-flying aircraft near the time of the crash and noted that heavy fog had obscured the airport. There were two fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigation into the accident revealed several critical errors regarding flight management and procedure. Radar data indicated that the pilot failed to maintain a stable airspeed throughout the approach. The wreckage pattern showed a gradual descent through the treeline prior to impact.
Key contributing factors included:
- The pilot exceeded the minimum descent altitude.
- Failure to adhere to established IFR procedures.
- Disregard for decision height requirements.
- Failure to maintain controlled airspeed during the approach phase.
- Inadequate in-flight planning and decision-making.
- Environmental factors, specifically dense fog, which limited visibility.