What happened
During a nighttime approach into Pendleton Airport, a twin engine airplane struck the ground several miles from the airfield. The flight was operating in challenging weather conditions characterized by fog and limited visibility of two miles or less. While attempting the descent, the pilot did not maintain sufficient altitude, leading to a collision with the terrain. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident, sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing environmental and operational factors. The presence of a low ceiling and heavy fog significantly impacted the crew's ability to maintain situational awareness. Key findings include:
- Failure to execute a go-around procedure despite deteriorating conditions
- Errors regarding instrument monitoring, specifically misreading or failing to monitor flight instruments
- Improper IFR operation during the approach phase