Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude. Factors in the accident were the rain and fog.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During final approach, about 200 feet above ground level, the pilot experienced a loss of altitude. He added full power, but the aircraft struck a tree about 250 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported wind shear in the area. There was no evidence of pre-impact malfunction to the airplane. Winds reported at an airport 12 miles northeast were from 080 degrees at 7 knots. The airport manager reported that there was heavy rain and fog at the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 26, 1997, about 1615 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney M20K, N252MY, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during an instrument approach to the Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N), Ocean City, New Jersey. The certificated airline transport pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he departed BDR on an IFR flight plan to 26N. He was vectored to the VOR 6 approach to 26N by Atlantic City Approach Control. The pilot obtained current weather information from reporting stations at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey and Cape May County Airport (WWD), Wildwood, New Jersey. He stated the weather at both locations was: winds from 070 at 10-15 knots; visibility 4-5 miles, with mist; ceiling 1,200 feet overcast. The pilot executed the VOR 6 approach, and was able to see the runway while descending through approximately 1,200 feet, from a distance of approximately 3 miles. The pilot further stated "Approximately 200 feet [above the ground, I] experienced a sink I could not arrest. I added full power, but impacted the ground approximately 300 feet short of the runway...". According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector the airplane's right wing struck a tree about 250 feet from the approach end of Runway 6. The FAA Inspector further stated that there was no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction to the airplane. The airport manager reported that there was heavy rain with fog at the time of the accident. Atlantic City International Airport was located approximately 12 miles to the northeast. The weather reported there, at 1554, was: winds from 080 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 6 miles with light rain and mist; scattered clouds at 1,500 feet; ceiling 2,200 feet broken; 2,700 feet overcast; temperature and dewpoint 50 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.05. -