Crash Claimed Three During Second Instrument Approach Attempt

The NTSB has issued a preliminary report on the December 25, 2006 crash of a Cessna 414 in Lawrenceville, GA. According to the report, Michael Mucha, a certificated private pilot, was attempting a second night, ILS approach to runway 25 at Gwinnett County Airport (LZU) when the aircraft impacted trees and an asphalt conveyer machine 1,100 feet left of the runway's centerline. Mucha, his wife Norma Ann and their daughter Samantha were all lost in the crash.

The NTSB says Atlanta Center reported the weather at LZU prior to Mucha's first approach attempt as winds calm, visibility 1/2 mile in fog with a 100 foot ceiling -- published minimums for the ILS Rwy 25 approach at LZU require a 200 foot ceiling. Mucha acknowledged the weather and elected to continue the approach.

Mucha contacted tower on final reporting he had the current weather. He executed a missed approach on his first ILS attempt informing the tower controller he'd seen the airport and wanted to make another approach attempt.

The Atlanta Center controller vectored Mucha around for another ILS Rwy 25 approach before handing him off to tower again on final. Both center and tower controllers gave him updated weather for the airport -- the same as previously reported.

While on short final for runway 25, the LZU tower controller told Mucha he was left of the runway centerline. Shortly after receiving acknowledgement from Mucha, the controller saw a bright "orange glow" off the left side of the approach end of runway 25. After making several unsuccessful attempts to reach Mucha by radio, the tower controller reported the aircraft missing to emergency personnel.

The wreckage was located in an asphalt plant approximately 1 mile short of runway 25. The debris was 1,100 feet left of the runway's extended centerline. NTSB investigators determined the aircraft impacted trees before colliding with the conveyor machine. The debris line was 426 feet long on a 290-degree heading.

FMI: www.ntsb.com