DFW07FA036

The instrument rated commercial pilot was on the ILS RWY 19 instrument approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions at night, when, according to radar data, the airplane decelerated, lost altitude, and descended about 1.5 miles from the airport. The airplane collided with terrain in an attitude consistent with a loss of control and a stall, and came to rest upright in a plowed field. Radar data revealed that the airplane approached from the north, and was never stabilized during the approach. When it was about 7 miles from the airport, its altitude was 1,800 feet mean sea level (msl), at a ground speed of 76 knots. Approximately two minutes later, when the airplane crossed over the final approach fix, about 4.5 miles north of the airport, it was at an altitude of 2,100 feet msl, at a ground speed of 78 knots. When it was approximately 2.3 miles north of the airport, it was at an altitude of 900 feet msl, and at a ground speed of 81 knots. At this point, the airplane momentarily ascended to 1,100 feet msl, and maintained a ground speed of 81 knots. Over the next 30 seconds, the airplane's altitude descended to 600 feet msl, and the ground speed decelerated to 59 knots before the data ended. The published minimal approach speed for this airplane is 89 knots. A witness, who was driving on a road located south of the accident site, said that he first saw the airplane out the right side window of his vehicle. He said the lights of the airplane appeared hazy, and were not as bright as he was used to seeing on other aircraft that flew into the airport. Shortly after he saw the airplane's lights, he saw an explosion behind a tree line between him and the airplane. The witness also stated that the weather was a low overcast, fog, rain sprinkles, and mist. He said the cloud layer was above the height of the trees, the visibility was approximately .5 to 1 mile, and it was very dark. The weather reported at the airport was two-miles visibility with a 200-foot overcast ceiling and fog. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he was not current for flight into instrument meteorological conditions. In addition, the privileges of his FAA medical certificate had expired approximately eight months prior to the accident. A postaccident toxicological examination was consistent with recent use of marijuana, phentermine (a prescription stimulant), and promethazine (a prescription antihistamine).

History of flight

On December 10, 2006, about 1859 central standard time, a twin-engine Cessna 310Q airplane, N69677, was destroyed when it collided with terrain while executing an instrument approach to the Waco Regional Airport, near Waco, Texas. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to a private company and operated by the pilot. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Harry Anders/Natchez Adams County Airport, near Natchez, Mississippi, about 1700. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Prior to departure, the pilot obtained four weather briefings and filed an IFR flight plan with the Anniston Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), Anniston, Alabama. During each call, a briefer provided the pilot the current and forecasted weather at Waco Regional Airport, which included marginal and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

A review of air traffic control (ATC) communications revealed that the pilot was cleared to fly direct from the Natchez Airport to the Waco Regional Airport. As the pilot approached the Waco Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) area, he received radar vectors to intercept the localizer course for the instrument landing system (ILS) RWY 19 approach at the Waco Regional Airport.

At 1848, an approach controller provided the accident pilot weather information obtained from a pilot, who had just executed the ILS RWY 19 approach and landed without incident. She reported "breaking out" of the overcast layer at an altitude of about 800 feet approximately one-mile north of Runway 19. The accident pilot responded, "that sounds good [N69]677."

At 1854, an approach controller informed the pilot that his position was 7 miles north of the COFFI intersection (final approach fix) and that he was cleared for the ILS RWY 19 approach. The approach controller also instructed the pilot to turn to a heading of 220 degrees, and maintain an altitude of 2,000 feet until established on the localizer course. The pilot acknowledged the clearance and shortly after was instructed to contact the Waco Regional Airport Control Tower. The pilot contacted the control tower, and about a minute later, a tower controller cleared the pilot to land on Runway 19.

At 1856, a tower controller informed the pilot that the weather at the airport was two-miles visibility with a 200 foot overcast ceiling and fog, and the pilot acknowledged.

Approximately two minutes later, a tower controller alerted the pilot and said, "N677 low altitude alert check altitude immediately." Shortly after, a tower controller reported seeing a "fireball" north of Runway 19.

A review of radar data revealed an IFR target approaching the Waco Regional Airport from the north. At 1854, when the target was about 7 miles north of the airport, it was at an altitude of 1,800 feet mean sea level (msl) at a ground speed of 76 knots.

Approximately two minutes later, when the target crossed over the final approach fix, about 4.5-miles north of the airport, it was at an altitude of 2,100 feet msl at a ground speed of 78 knots.

At 1858, when the target was approximately 2.3 miles north of the airport, it was at an altitude of 900 feet msl and at a ground speed of 81 knots. At this point, the target momentarily ascended to 1,100 feet msl, and maintained a ground speed of 81 knots. Over the next 30 seconds, the target's altitude descended to 600 feet msl and the ground speed decelerated to 59 knots before the data ended.

A review of the airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook revealed the published minimum approach speed for the Cessna 310Q was 89 knots.

A witness, who was driving on a road located north of the accident site, said that he first observed the airplane out of the right side window of his vehicle. He said the "lights" of the airplane appeared "hazy", and were not as "bright" as he was used to seeing on other aircraft that flew into Waco Regional Airport. Shortly after he observed the airplane's lights, he saw an "explosion" behind a tree line that was located between him and the airplane. The witness immediately called 911 and drove to the site of the accident. He said the Fire Department arrived within five minutes of the accident.

The witness also stated that the weather was a low overcast, fog, rain "sprinkles", and mist. He said the cloud layer was above the height of the trees and that the visibility was approximately .5- to 1-mile. In addition, the witness said it was "very dark outside."

Personnel information

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a certified flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. In addition he held a private pilot certificate for gliders. His last second class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical was issued on March 3, 2004. At that time, he reported a total of 3,275 flight hours. According to Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), the pilot's medical would have expired on March 31, 2006.

A review of the pilot's most recent logbook revealed that the first entry was made on February 12, 2002, and the last entry was made on December 8, 2006. The pilot had accrued a total of 3,629.2 hours at the time of the last entry. In the six months prior to the accident, the pilot had accrued a total of 47.1 flight hours, of which, 3.1 hours were at night and 1.2 hours were in actual instrument conditions. He had completed 3 instrument approach procedures. According to FARs , the pilot was not current to operate in instrument meteorological conditions.

The pilot's last flight proficiency check and instrument proficiency check were conducted on October 4, 2005. The flight lasted 1-hour, and included two instrument approaches. There were no remarks indicating what other flight maneuvers were completed as part of the examinations.

Aircraft information

The Cessna 310Q was a twin-engine, six passenger, fixed wing airplane. The airplane's logbooks were never located.

Meteorological information

Weather reported at Waco Regional Airport, at 1651, included winds from 150 degrees at 5 knots, temperature 48 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 47 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure setting 30.15 inches Mercury. The visibility was 3/4-statute miles, mist, and the ceiling was 200 feet overcast.

Weather reported at 1751, included winds from 140 degrees at 7 knots, temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure setting 30.15 inches Mercury. The visibility was 1.5-statute miles, mist, and the ceiling was 200 feet overcast.

Weather reported at 1851, included winds from 140 degrees at 8 knots, temperature 48 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure setting 30.15 inches Mercury. The visibility was 2-statute miles, mist, and the ceiling was 200 feet overcast.

Weather reported at 1922, included winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots, temperature 51 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.14 inches of Mercury. The visibility was 2-statute miles, mist, and the ceiling was 200 feet overcast.

Aids to navigation

The published inbound course for the ILS RWY 19 approach was 187 degrees magnetic, and the decision altitude was 705 feet msl. The crossing altitude at COFFI intersection was 1,800 feet msl. The distance between COFFI intersection and the missed approach point, which was located near the end of the runway, was 4.5 nautical miles. The airport elevation was 516 feet msl.

The published weather minimums for the ILS RWY 19 approach included a 200-foot ceiling and .5-mile visibility.

On December 11, 2006