Beech 200 near Oscoda, MI — 2018-09-25

Probable cause

The pilot's descent below minimum descent altitude during the nonprecision instrument approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot of the multiengine airplane was cleared for the VOR approach. The weather at the airport was reported as 400 ft overcast with 4 miles visibility in drizzle. When the airplane failed to arrive at the airport as scheduled, a search was initiated, and the wreckage was located soon thereafter. Radar data indicated that the pilot was provided vectors to intercept the final approach course. The last radar return indicated that the airplane was at 2,200 ft and 8.1 miles from the runway threshold. It impacted terrain 3.5 miles from the runway threshold and left of the final approach course. According to the published approach procedure, the minimum descent altitude was 1,100 feet, which was 466 ft above airport elevation. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane had impacted the tops of trees and descended at a 45° angle to ground contact; the airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire, thus limiting the examination; however, no anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal operation. The landing gear was extended, and approach flaps had been set. Impact and fire damage precluded an examination of the flight and navigation instruments. Autopsy and toxicology of the pilot were not performed; therefore, whether a physiological issue may have contributed to the accident could not be determined. The location of the wreckage indicates that the pilot descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach; however, the reason for the pilot's descent below MDA could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have aborted the approach due to low visibility and weather conditions.

NTSB coding

• Altitude deviation · Approach-IFR final approach

Evidence available

• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 10 docket documents

Docket documents10

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Certification of Party Representativeother
• KFS85 Data Plots (Multiple Sensors)other
• N241CK, Initial Approach Plots, Profile Viewother
• N241CK, Initial Approach Plots. Plan Viewother
• VOR 6 Approach Procedure with Accident Location Plottedother
• Photosphotos
• N241CK, Radar Plots, YIP-OSradar
• Wreckage Path, Google Earthwreckage

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