Cargo Aircraft Collision with Trees During Night ILS Approach (N54316)

Incident Overview and Approach Details The pilot was operating a cargo flight under night instrument meteorological conditions when the aircraft was cleared for an ILS Runway 6L approach. The pilot reported being established on the localizer. The control tower indicated that the touchdown and mid-point runway visual range (RVR) was 1,800 feet, while the roll-out RVR was 1,600 feet. The pilot was instructed and acknowledged to make a right turn off the runway after landing. No further communications were received from the aircraft. ## Radar Data and Impact Location The aircraft's last radar target was recorded at an altitude of 1,200 feet MSL and a ground speed of 130 knots. The aircraft impacted trees and came to rest inverted on airport property, located on a bearing of 053 degrees and a distance of 1/2 mile from the runway. ## Weather Conditions and Airport Data A weather observation taken at the airport around the time of the accident reported winds from 140 degrees at 9 knots, visibility of 1/8 mile, and runway 06L visual range variable between 1,800 and 2,000 feet in fog. The vertical visibility was 100 feet, with a temperature and dew point of 54 degrees F. The airport elevation was 1,009 feet MSL. ## Approach Minimums and Pilot Experience The ILS Runway 6L approach diagram specified a decision height of 1,198 feet MSL and an approach minimum of 1,800 feet RVR or 1/2 mile visibility. The pilot had approximately 3,800 hours of total flight experience, including about 350 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft and 250 total hours logged in instrument meteorological conditions. ## Investigation Findings Examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical failures. The official probable cause was determined to be the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance while on approach, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees. Fog and low ceiling conditions were identified as factors in the accident.