19990912030689A

(.19) On September 12, 1999, about 0645 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182J, N3348F, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees while maneuvering to land at the mcbeth airport, Klamath, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 of the federal aviation regulations. The pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The personal flight departed napa, California, about 0430. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated he cruised at 10,500 feet and descended to 1,500 feet at his destination. He could not spot the airport so he decided to fly west toward the coast, gain altitude, and go to happy camp, his alternate. The engine began to run rough; he turned the carburetor heat on and switched fuel tanks. The engine continued to run rough and he was unable to arrest the airplane's descent. He had a global positioning satellite (GPS) unit indicating the airport's location and turned toward that indication. He was at 500 feet and the top of the fog layer, saw the numbers 29 through the fog, and turned back to the runway. Durin the turn he went into the fog. The pilot said the next things he could see were trees. Two trees were taller than the rest and he was headed straight for one of them. He turned to the right to go between the trees just prior to contact. The pilot stated the airplane paused, then reversed to a nose low position. He braced for impact with the ground, but there was none. The tail lodged in branches and the airplane stopped with the nose about 5 feet from the ground. The right side door was lowest to the ground but was jammed. They noticed fire in the floorboard area, exited through the pilot's door, and jumped to the ground. The fuselage was consumed by fire.(-23)departed from napa (apc) to andrew-mcbeth airport (S51) at approximately 4:30AM PDT on Sunday, sept. 12. At 10,500 ft AGL began decent/approach into S51. At 1500FT AGL decided conditions were below minimums and decided to try a different airport. During climb-out engine sputtered and would not climb. Conditions were clear and warm from 10,500FT AGL. Fog was at 500 ft AGL. Pilot claims he had no choice but try to shoot the approach. Pilot shot for rwy 29, on base leg hit fog, 1/2 mile short of rwy hit trees. Aircraft caught fire. Emergency crews were dispatched. Small forest fire (100 yards) was extinguished. Pilot suffered minor injury to neck. Passenger had no injuries.