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.