What happened
During an instrument flight rules (IFR) approach, an aircraft collided with trees located roughly 3 miles from the approach end of runway 17. The flight was being conducted by a single pilot who was the only person on board at the time of the accident. At the time of the impact, weather conditions were characterized by low ceilings and dark night visibility. The collision occurred during the transition from the final approach fix toward the runway threshold.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to the pilot's decision-making and flight execution. It was determined that the pilot proceeded with the approach despite knowing that weather conditions were expected to be below established minimums. Additionally, the aircraft was operated without a second pilot, which was a violation of company regulations.
Key findings include:
- The pilot performed an improper IFR procedure and descended below the minimum descent altitude.
- There was evidence of improper in-flight planning and decision-making by the pilot in command.
- The pilot exhibited overconfidence in their personal flying abilities.
- Environmental factors, specifically low ceilings and darkness, contributed to the collision with the trees.