GREENVILLE, ME, USA
N590TA
Cessna 208B
According to the pilot, he was conducting a GPS approach during occasional low ceilings, reduced visibility and rain. At the minimum descent altitude, the ground was 'occasionally' visible through fog and rain. Near the missed approach point, the runway lights were visible, so he continued the descent. He lost visual contact with the runway, and began a missed approach, but collided with trees. The accident site was 2 miles prior to the runway, on rising terrain, 200 feet below the runway elevation. The missed approach point was over the approach end of the runway.
On September 23, 2000, at 1950 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 208B, N590TA, was substantially damaged when it impacted rising terrain during an instrument approach to Greenville Municipal Airport (3B1), Greenville, Maine. The certificated airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, between Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine, and Greenville. The corporate flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was performing a GPS RWY 14 approach to Greenville at the time of the accident. The pilot further stated: "The area forecast indicated that VFR conditions prevailed with occasional low ceiling and reduced visibility and rain.... At MDA, the ground was visible occasionally through fog and rain. Near MAP, the runway lights were visible and aircraft continued descent. Runway visibility was lost, missed approach procedures instituted. Collision with trees occurred." The airplane impacted rising terrain about 2 miles prior to the runway, at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet. The airport elevation was 1,400 feet, and according to the GPS RWY 14 approach procedure, the minimum descent altitude was 2,300 feet. The missed approach point was over the approach end of the runway. There were no weather reporting facilities in the area. However, a witness on the ground stated that it was foggy at the time of the accident.
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue his descent without visual contact with the runway, and his inattention to his altitude, in relation to the airport elevation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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