What happened
During an ILS approach to runway 15, the N402BK, a single-engine aircraft, struck static wires located roughly 2 miles north of the runway. The wires were positioned directly within the flight path of the ILS final approach course. At the time of the incident, the local control tower was not operational.
Prior to the accident, three other aircraft had completed their approaches. The pilots of those preceding flights reported encountering significant downdrafts and turbulence at altitudes between 500 and 700 feet MSL. These pilots noted that the atmospheric conditions forced their aircraft below the established glide slope, requiring adjustments to pitch or power to recover the correct descent path.
Weather observations from the Otis Air National Guard Base at 2155 recorded an indefinite ceiling of 100 feet with obscured skies. Visibility was reported at 3/4 miles amidst light rain and fog. Winds were recorded at 170 degrees at 14 knots, with gusts reaching 19 knots.
Findings
- The static wires were situated in the direct line of the ILS final approach course.
- Severe downdrafts and turbulence were present in the approach area, as confirmed by multiple pilots.
- Environmental conditions included low visibility and a very low ceiling, which may have impacted situational awareness regarding obstacles.