NTSB Factual Report

On January 30, 2002, at 1810 central standard time, a Piper PA-42-720, N66MT, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an ILS approach for landing on runway 01 (5,700 feet by 100 feet, dry concrete) at the Ames Municipal Airport, Ames, Iowa, when the airplane struck a power pole, subsequent power lines, and then impacted the terrain. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was operating on an instrument flight rules plan under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, a pilot-rated passenger in the right seat, and 5 passengers in the cabin reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated in Denver, Colorado, at 1530 mountain standard time, and was en route to Ames, Iowa.

In his written statement, the pilot said he was on the glide slope for the approach. The pilot said, "The auto pilot was coupled on to the approach. The autopilot also coupled on to the Glide slope. Approximately 2-1/2 to 3 miles out, we visually had approach lights and runway lights. I then disconnected the auto pilot and yaw damper, and hand flew a visual approach using the glide slope indicator as a cross check for a correct glide path to the airport. Continuing visually on the approach, I checked the GS (glide slope) and it indicated we were slightly above glide path, but was corrected, and seconds later hit a pole going through electrical wires, coming to rest short of the approach lights and to the right."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene. The airplane had come to rest approximately 1/2 mile south of the approach end of the runway. Approximately 0.9 mile south of the approach end of the runway, a 26 foot high, 8 inch diameter power line pole was knocked over. Additional broken power poles and downed power lines were located 0.8 mile south of the runway. Tire marks in the terrain were observed approximately 0.7 mile south of the runway. The airplane was resting upright in a field and was oriented on an approximate magnetic heading of 160 degrees. An 8-inch wide, 12-inch deep gash was observed in the leading edge of the airplane's right wing, outboard of the engine nacelle. The right wing fuel tank was broken open. Soot and heat signatures were observed on the airplane's right wing, right side of the aft fuselage, right side of the vertical stabilizer, and on the outboard side of the right engine nacelle. A gash was observed in the leading edge of the left wing at approximately mid-span between the left engine nacelle and the wing tip. The right main landing gear and nose gear were broken aft. The top portion of the airplane's rudder was torn aft. Both propellers showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's engines, engine controls, and other systems revealed no anomalies.

On February 7, 2002, the FAA conducted a flight inspection of the ILS approach to runway 01 at the Ames Municipal Airport. The inspection showed the facility operated satisfactorily.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path during the final portion of the approach. Factors relating to this accident were the low altitude and the utility pole.