Accident Overview
On an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country flight, the private, instrument-rated pilot was cleared for a GPS approach. He reported being 5 minutes from landing and stated he was circling to the left to land opposite the published approach direction. The traffic pattern for the approach runway was right traffic, and a circling approach north of the runway was not approved.
Weather and Visibility
Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. Visibility was 3 statute miles in light rain and mist, with few clouds at 400 feet and an overcast ceiling at 1,000 feet. The temperature and dew point were both 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The minimum descent altitude for the lateral navigation or circling approach was 580 feet, requiring at least 1 mile visibility. The missed approach procedure called for a right climbing turn.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported low clouds and reduced visibility due to fog and drizzle. The airplane was heard but not seen circling several times over the city, which was north of the runway. Witnesses then observed the airplane descending in a wings-level attitude with a 30- to 45-degree nose-down angle from the base of the clouds. The airplane pitched up slightly before colliding with several trees and an unoccupied house. A postcrash fire consumed the residence and destroyed the airplane.
Radar Data
FAA radar data showed the accident airplane's altitude slowly decreasing as it approached the airport, with the flight track remaining to the left side (north) of the runway. The airplane descended to a lowest recorded altitude of 800 feet near the runway, then climbed to 1,700 feet before radar contact was lost north of the runway.
Postaccident Examination
During the postaccident examination, no mechanical malfunction was found. Given the lack of mechanical deficiencies, it is likely the pilot was either confused about proper approach procedures or elected to disregard them, abandoning the instrument approach prematurely in an attempt to find the runway. The reasons for choosing a circle-to-land approach when a straight-in approach was viable and for flying toward rising terrain contrary to published procedures remain unknown. Witness accounts suggest the pilot was "hunting" for the airport and intentionally dove the airplane toward what he perceived as a nearby area, then likely saw trees and terrain, attempted to climb, but was too low to avoid the trees.