History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III (G-LENY), was operated as a commercial air transport flight with a single pilot on board. The pilot had been on standby duty earlier that day and was called at approximately 1230 hrs to operate a charter. He flew from Oxford Airport to Denham Airport to collect a passenger, then to Plymouth City Airport. After dropping off the passenger, the pilot departed Plymouth at 1613 hrs for the return flight to Oxford. The aircraft was serviceable throughout.
During the approach to Oxford, the pilot contacted RAF Brize Norton ATC at 1701 hrs, requesting a straight-in approach for Runway 01. He was cleared to 3,000 ft on the Oxford QNH and instructed to navigate his own way. At 1703 hrs, he contacted Oxford ATC, stating he was joining for a 10-mile finals position. The controller asked him to report at 2 nm range; the pilot later called at 4.5 nm and was told to report when visual with the runway lights. No further transmissions were received.
Accident Site
The aircraft struck trees near the summit of Wytham Hill, approximately 4 nm south of Oxford Airport and 3.6 nm from the Runway 01 threshold. The initial impact point was with 60 ft tall trees on ground 500 ft amsl. The wreckage trail extended 160 m on an average track of 025° magnetic. The aircraft came to rest inverted, with both engines and the remains of the wings on top of the cabin. The cockpit and fuselage were destroyed by a post-crash fire. The pilot was found 9 m from the wreckage, hypothermic, with chest, limb, and burn injuries. He was taken to hospital and survived.
Examination of Wreckage
The landing gear was extended, and the flaps were set to 10°. Elevator trim was near neutral. Both propellers were damaged, with blades bent, indicating the engines were producing power at impact. Composite material from the wing leading edge was found early in the debris trail. The left wing broke into four sections after hitting a large tree. The force caused a fuel tank explosion and ignited trees. No technical faults or defects were identified.
Airport and Navigational Information
Oxford Airport (elevation 270 ft) has a main runway 01/19, 1,319 m long, with an ILS only on Runway 19. The approach for Runway 01 was an NDB/DME procedure with a final approach fix at 5 DME and a step-down fix at 3 DME. The minimum descent altitude (MDA) after the step-down was 690 ft amsl. The aircraft commenced its final descent 2.3 nm before the correct descent point and descended below the step-down MDA. It struck trees at an elevation consistent with the terrain.
Conclusion
The investigation concluded that the accident was an instance of Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The pilot had flown a non-precision approach in poor weather and low visibility, impacting terrain while under control.