NTSB: Night IMC Conditions Prevailed During Approach

The NTSB has released a preliminary report on a Cessna 310 (file photo of type below) crash from December 10. The aircraft, on approach to Waco Regional Airport in Waco, TX, crashed short of the runway killing all three aboard.

The aircraft was on an IFR flight plan from Natchez, MS with a clearance to fly direct to Waco. Pilot Justin Cardneaux reported nearly 3,300 hours on his last medical issued in March 2004. He was rated as a commercial pilot for both single- and multi-engine aircraft, and also a CFII for single-engine aircraft.

When approaching Waco TRACON at around 18:45 local time, controllers vectored Cardneaux for an ILS to Rwy 19 at Waco Regional. Controllers also passed a PIREP from a pilot who had just flown the approach and landed safely. That pilot reported breaking out at 800 ft MSL a mile from the runway.

At 18:54 Cardneaux received an approach clearance and was directed to maintain 2000 MSL until established on the localizer. He acknowledged and was handed off to tower who cleared him to land on Rwy 19. At 18:56 Cardneaux acknowledged a call from tower reporting a 200-foot overcast with 2 miles visibility at Waco Regional.

At 18:54, 2.5 miles from the final approach fix (FAF), radar data shows the aircraft at 1800 ft MSL with a speed over the ground of 76 knots. The controller directed Cardneaux to maintain 2000 until established on the localizer. The ILS or LOC RWY 19 approach for Waco shows a glideslope intercept altitude of 1800 ft MSL.

Radar data shows the aircraft crossed the FAF 4.5 miles from the runway at 2,100 MSL (300 ft above the glideslope intercept altitude) and 81 knots. At 2.3 miles from the airport, the aircraft was at 900 ft MSL and 81 knots. The decision height for the approach is 705 ft MSL which is 200 AGL.

At that point, a tower controller radioed, "N677...low altitude alert...check altitude immediately." Radar shows a momentary climb back to 1,100 ft before a descent to 600 ft over the next 30 seconds. The final radar target shows the aircraft at 600 ft MSL and 59 knots -- the field elevation is 516 ft MSL.

Both a tower controller and a witness driving near the airport saw the aircraft explode on impact with terrain short of the runway. The fire department was on the scene within five minutes but the aircraft was consumed by fire precluding a successful rescue attempt.

The aircraft's wreckage was oriented on a heading of 160 with impact marks on the ground several ft to the right consistent with the wings, tip tanks and engines.

The official weather reported at the time of the accident was winds 140 at 8, temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 48 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter setting 30.15, visibility two miles, mist, ceiling 200 ft overcast.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov