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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 19, 1995 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4219T

Monroe, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monroe, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4219T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96LA024

According to the pilot, as he approached the decision height on the ILS approach, he observed ground lights, but never established visual contact with runway 5. Unable to identify the runway, the pilot executed a missed approach. During the climbout, the airplane collided with a 75 foot tall tree 2000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The decision height for the approach is 306 feet above the ground. The pilot diverted to another airport and landed without further incident. No approved weather reporting facility was located at the airport. According to Title 14 CFR Part 135.225, no pilot may begin an instrument approach to an airport without an approved weather reporting facility; nor can the pilot descend below the decision height (DH) if actual weather conditions are less than the published minimums.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate planning and failure to follow operating procedures resulted in his descent below the decision height while on final approach.

Full Narrative

On December 19, 1995, at 1845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA- 32-300, N4219T, collided with a tree 2000 feet from the approach end of runway 05 at the Monroe Municipal Airport in Monroe, North Carolina. The domestic cargo flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Whitesville, North Carolina, at 1745 hours. According to the pilot, while on the final approach phase of the ILS runway 05 approach, he noticed lights on the ground. As he continued the approach descent, the airplane collided with a 75 foot tall tree. The decision height for the ILS runway 5 approach is 306 feet above the ground. The pilot said, visual contact with the airport was never established. The pilot executed the missed approach procedure, and flew to Columbia, South Carolina; the flight landed without incident. According to Monroe Airport personnel, there in no weather reporting facility located on the airport. The nearest weather reporting facility is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Title 14 CFR Part 135.225 stated that, "no pilot may begin an instrument procedure to an airport unless that airport has a weather reporting facility operated by the U.S. National weather service...or a source approved by the Administrator". Part 135.225 (b) also states that, "no pilot may begin the final approach segment of an instrument approach procedure to an airport unless the approach may be continued and landing made if the pilot finds, upon reaching the authorized minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision height (DH), that the actual weather conditions are at least equal to the minimums prescribed for the procedure".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 EST
Nearest AirportMonroe Airport (1nm SW)
Runway5
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4219T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 41 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data