Cessna 208B N236KA accident near Kualapuu, Hawaii

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude during a circling approach procedure in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported he was conducting an instrument approach in dark night conditions, and during the approach he thought the airplane was too high. The pilot performed a left turn circling procedure to lose altitude. During the turn, the pilot loss sight of the runway and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC23LA012 for the full record.