19981203039789A

(-23) On December 3, 1998 a cape smythe aircraft, N3542H, collided with terrain while attempting an NDB runway 5 approach into pt. Lay, Alaska. The pilot, Mr. Michael dedo, stated he had the runway end identifier lights in sight. During the approach Mr. Dedo stated he had a 1 mile visibility in blowing snow, with turbulance, wind shears and an 800 foot ceiling. Mr. Dedo stated he thought he was on the proper glide path. Point Lay does not have any type of visual glide path indicators, nor any other light system other than the runway end identifier lights, and runway edge lights.(.4) a witness observed the airplane circle to land at the completion of an NDB approach. The nighttime meteorological conditions were an 800 feet ceiling, 1MILE visibility in blowing snow, and 26 knot winds. The surrounding terrain was essentially flat, snow covered, and featureless. The witness saw the airplane on final approach misaligned ofr the runway, and then disappear below an 18 feet MSL bluff. He transmitted on the radio to `get out of there,' and heard no response. About 10 minutes later the accident pilot walked up to the witness' airplane. The pilot told the investigator-in-charge that he was `beat around by the winds, ...it was snowing pretty hard, I always had the lights, and I was concentrating on the runway. The next thing I knew I was on the ground short of the runway.' The pilot's previous experience to this airport was during daytime, and during visual conditions. The airport, which was being transferred from the air force to the north slope borough, has medium intensity runway lights (mirl), and runway and identifier lights (reils). It does not have visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights.