NYC95LA029

The pilot was vectored for an night NDB circling approach. He reported the weather as 900 feet overcast, heavy rain, moderate turbulence and crosswinds gusting to 20 knots. He saw the runway, cancelled the IFR clearance and initiated the circling approach. The airplane impacted trees 1/2 mile from the runway. The runway did not have runway end identification lights or a VASI.

On Friday, November 18, 1994, at 1820 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-150, N14315, registered to and piloted by Patrick J. Greene, struck trees while maneuvering to land at the Minute Man Airfield, Stow, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The flight originated in Skaneateles, New York. While en route to Stow, the pilot filed an instrument flight plan due to deteriorating weather. The pilot was cleared for a non-precision, NDB circling approach to the Minute Man Airfield. During the approach, he called the field in sight and cancelled his IFR flight plan. While maneuvering to land on runway 03, the airplane struck trees approximately 1/2 mile from the airport.

The reported weather, at 1845, from Bedford, Massachusetts, located about 9 miles east of the accident site, was: ceiling, indefinite, 400 feet obscured; visibility 1 mile, with light rain and fog, temperature 45 degrees F, dew point 45 degrees F, wind 040 degrees at 5 knots.

The pilot reported it was a dark night, with heavy rain, moderate turbulence and a crosswind 40 degrees from the runway heading, at 15 gusting to 20 knots.

The runway was not equipped with runway end identification lights or a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI).