Accident Sequence
The airline transport pilot was conducting a business flight with six passengers on board. Radar data showed that, after crossing the final approach fix for an instrument approach at the destination airport, the airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 2,480 ft mean sea level (msl). Dark night and instrument meteorological conditions existed at that time. When the airplane was about 2 miles from the airport and at an altitude of about 2,070 ft msl, it impacted a utility pole that stood 10 ft above ground level. Following the impact, the pilot executed a missed approach and landed the airplane without further incident at another airport about 40 minutes later.
Examination Findings
On-scene examination revealed that the impact scattered debris from the separated utility pole for about 200 ft into a snow-covered field. Inspection of the airplane showed substantial damage to the nose structure, lower and upper fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. Further examinations of the airplane, including its static system, both altimeters, both vertical speed indicators, and the radar altimeter system, found no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that he thought he had leveled the airplane at an altitude above the MDA and that at no time during the descent and approach did the radar altimeter sound an alert indicating the airplane was below 400 ft agl radar altitude. He also stated that he never saw the terrain, any obstructions, nor the runway lights or airport environment. Despite the pilot's statement, given the radar data and impact evidence, it is apparent that he descended the airplane below the MDA, resulting in the impact with the utility pole. The reason why the radar altimeter did not alert the pilot that the airplane was only 10 ft above the ground could not be determined.
Pilot and Medical Certificate
The pilot's second-class medical certificate, issued more than 20 months before the accident, had expired. The medical certificate limitation section stated, "Not valid for night flying or by color signal control." There is no evidence that these restrictions contributed to the accident.