Narrative:
Approached a private airport in IMC. Impacted a tree approximately 4,000 feet from airport in an upright position and impacted the ground in an inverted position.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue a visual approach in instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the fog, drizzle, and low ceilings. "
VFR flight in IMC
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 26 March 2000 |
| Time: | 08:40 |
| Type: |  Cessna 525 CitationJet |
| Operator: | Mike G. Rutherford |
| Registration: | N130MR |
| MSN: | 525-0097 |
| First flight: | 1995 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 720 |
| Engines: | 2 Williams International FJ44-1A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | near Buda, TX ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Houston-Sugar Land Municipal Airport, TX (SGR/KSGR), United States of America |
| Rutherford Ranch, TX, United States of America |
Approached a private airport in IMC. Impacted a tree approximately 4,000 feet from airport in an upright position and impacted the ground in an inverted position.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue a visual approach in instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the fog, drizzle, and low ceilings. "
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
VFR flight in IMC
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Houston-Sugar Land Municipal Airport, TX to Rutherford Ranch, TX as the crow flies is 227 km (142 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Houston-Sugar Land Municipal Airport, TX to Rutherford Ranch, TX as the crow flies is 227 km (142 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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