Accident Overview
An Embraer EMB-110P1 was involved in an accident while attempting a visual flight rules (VFR) landing at Columbia after a missed instrument approach. The aircraft collided with trees approximately 2,350 feet from the runway in a wings-level attitude, with tree tops broken 41 feet above the runway threshold altitude.
Sequence of Events
The instructor/director of operations and a trainee had conducted ground training all day. They flew the EMB-110P1 to Memphis to exchange airplanes. Ground fog had started forming prior to departure from Memphis. After exchanging airplanes, they began the return flight to Columbia.
Air traffic control provided radar vectors for the SDF (Simplified Directional Facility) approach at Columbia. Thick fog resulted in a missed approach. During the missed approach, the runway became visible from above, and the crew indicated they would attempt a VFR approach and landing.
Pilot Condition
The trainee had been without rest for at least 30 hours prior to the accident.
Injuries
One pilot was killed; the second pilot was seriously injured.
Official Probable Cause
The pilot attempted to make a VFR landing in instrument conditions that were below minimums for the published instrument approach and collided with trees and the ground after allowing the airplane to descend below the proper altitude.