Incident Overview
Description
A Beechcraft A100 King Air, N30SA, collided with trees and the ground during an ILS approach to runway 36L at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, NC (CLT). The airplane was operated by Spitfire Sales and Leasing, Inc. under instrument flight rules [IFR]. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed for the business flight. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured, the passenger was seriously injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Origination of the flight was Lewisburg-Greenbrier Valley Airport, WV (LWB), about 22:00, on the same day, with a destination of Concord Regional Airport, NC. Following a missed approach at the destination, the pilot requested weather information for two nearby airports. One airport was 53 miles northeast with a cloud ceiling of 900 feet, and visibility 6 miles. The pilot opted for the accident airport, 21 miles southwest, with an indefinite ceiling of zero, and visibility 1/4 mile. After completing the second missed approach, the flight proceeded to the accident airport. Radar vectors were provided to the ILS runway 36L. On the final approach, the flight veered to the right of the localizer and descended abruptly. Last recorded altitude for the flight was below the decision height. Investigation revealed no anomalies with the airport navigational aids for the approach, and the airplane’s navigation receivers were found to be operational. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s continued approach below decision height without reference to the runway environment, and his failure to execute a missed approach.”
Primary Cause
Pilot’s continued approach below decision height without reference to the runway environment.Pilot’s continued approach below decision height without reference to the runway environment.Share on:
