Accident Overview
The accident occurred when a pilot aborted a landing approach due to inadequate flight visibility. The airplane subsequently touched down long and fast on the runway before entering fog that shrouded the runway. It then collided with trees and impacted on marshland approximately 70 feet below the runway elevation.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that during the landing approach, visibility was insufficient for landing, prompting him to abort the landing. Witnesses observed the airplane touchdown long and fast, after which it entered a fog bank that obscured the runway. The airplane continued into trees and ultimately came to rest on marshland below the runway.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engines that would have prevented normal flight. The pilot's duty schedule was examined: on the day before the accident, his duty day began at 0500, and he had a 9-hour rest period during the day but did not sleep during that time. He arrived home around 2300. His wife stated he awoke around 0230 on the accident date, returned to bed, and arose between 0430 and 0500, departing for work about 0530. During his regular duty day, the pilot drove a total of 4 hours to and from home. He noted that he would generally go to bed between 2300 and 2330 and arise about 0430 each work day, needing between 6 and 8 hours of sleep at night.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was determined to be the pilot's delay in initiating a go-around after not attaining the proper touchdown point during the landing, and his failure to remain clear of obstructions (trees) during the go-around. Factors relating to the accident were the adverse weather condition (fog and low ceiling), pilot fatigue, and the proximity of trees to the runway.