Incident Overview
The accident occurred at Detroit when a pilot attempted an instrument landing system (ILS) approach with a decision height of 200 feet. The weather conditions included a 100-foot ceiling and 3,000 feet runway visual range (RVR). During the approach, the aircraft collided with trees located approximately one mile from the runway threshold.
Despite the collision, the pilot managed to fly the aircraft to the airport, but it crashed near the threshold. The pilot was the sole occupant and was killed.
Pilot's Preparation and Equipment
Only approach plates for Detroit and Midway in Chicago were found onboard. The pilot's final destination after Detroit was Midway. The available fuel was insufficient to reach Midway. The remaining approach plates were later discovered in the pilot's personal vehicle back in Pennsylvania.
Official Findings
The official probable cause listed multiple factors. Occurrence #1, an in-flight collision with an object during approach from the outer marker to threshold, cited: object (tree), improper use of IFR procedure by the pilot-in-command, unavailable information for the pilot-in-command, low ceiling weather condition, inattentive preflight planning/preparation by the pilot-in-command, self-induced pressure on the pilot-in-command, not performed by the pilot-in-command, reduced visual lookout by the pilot-in-command, and failure to follow minimum descent altitude by the pilot-in-command.
Occurrence #2, an in-flight collision with terrain/water during an uncontrolled descent, involved: partial loss of flight control system (aileron control), inability to maintain directional control by the pilot-in-command, partial loss of flight control (aileron surface), and total loss of the wing/wingtip.