MCGREGOR, TX, USA
N4643G
CESSNA 414
THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR THE VOR RUNWAY 17 APPROACH. FIELD ELEVATION AND THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE WERE 590 AND 980 FEET RESPECTIVELY. THE MISSED APPROACH POINT WAS 10.4 MILES OUTBOUND FROM THE WACO VOR, WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT ESTABLISHED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPORT. AFTER CONFIRMING THAT THE AIRPORT WAS IN SIGHT AND THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT IDENTIFIED, THE PILOT CONTINUED HIS DESCENT TOWARDS THE RUNWAY TO LAND ON RUNWAY 17. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT 'I REALIZED THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATE RUNWAY TO SAFELY LAND, AND INITIATED A RIGHT TURN TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH.' THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TOP OF THE TREES. THE FAA INSPECTOR AT THE SCENE REPORTED THAT AFTER IMPACTING THE TREES, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THROUGH THE TREES FOR APPROXIMATELY 400 FEET ON A TRACK OF 344 DEGREES PRIOR TO COMING TO REST ON A HEADING OF 230 DEGREES.
On February 14, 1995, at 0108 central standard time, a Cessna 414, N4643G, was destroyed upon impact with trees and terrain while on an instrument approach to the McGregor Airport, near McGregor, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot was not injured, while his three passengers sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the personal dark night cross country flight. According to air traffic control (ATC), the pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan with Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Departure Control while on climbout from the Portales Municipal Airport (Q34), and was issued an IFR clearance to the McGregor Airport (F60). After receiving the weather and altimeter setting for the destination airport, the pilot was cleared for the VOR Runway 17 approach. Field elevation and the minimum descent altitude were 590 and 980 feet respectively. The missed approach point was 10.4 miles outbound from the Waco VOR, which coincided with the runway threshold. The pilot stated that the passenger seated in the right front seat established visual contact with the airport. After confirming that the airport was in sight and the runway environment identified, the pilot continued his descent towards the runway to land on Runway 17. The pilot further stated that "I realized that there would not be adequate runway to safely land, and initiated a right turn to execute a missed approach." The right wing of the airplane impacted the top of the trees. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the scene reported that after impacting the trees, the airplane continued through the trees for approximately 400 feet on a measured heading of 344 degrees prior to coming to rest on a heading of 230 degrees. The airplane was destroyed by impact and post impact fire; however, the cabin and cockpit area were not compromised. The 0155 weather observation at F60 was sky partially obscured, 100 feet broken, visibility 1.75 miles in fog and drizzle. The pilot reported 300 feet broken and visibility 1.5 miles.
THE PILOT'S DELAYED INITIATION OF THE MISSED APPROACH UNTIL WELL BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND BEYOND THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH POINT. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND THE LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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