Pilot Killed in ILS Approach Crash (N77BR)

Approach and Impact During an instrument flight rules (IFR) arrival, the pilot was cleared for an ILS runway 07 approach. The pilot was also advised of a DC-9 aircraft four miles ahead and instructed to use caution for wake turbulence. While on final approach, the aircraft descended below the ILS glide slope and struck trees, crashing approximately 1.8 miles short of the runway. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed. ## Investigation Findings Investigators found no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or engines that would have caused the accident. The ILS system had no reported problems and tested normal after the accident. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate valid for single-engine land aircraft, with multi-engine privileges authorized only at the private pilot level. An NTSB performance study indicated the aircraft was 2 minutes and 57 seconds behind the DC-9. Radar data showed the aircraft did not exceed a bank angle of 32 degrees and no excessive g-values were evident during the approach.