New Piper Aircraft Inc PA 32R-301T N3127R accident near Springfield, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

After descending through a cloud layer on an instrument approach in night conditions, the private pilot reached visual meteorological conditions, cancelled his instrument flight plan, and advised air traffic control that he was proceeding directly to the destination airport. The airplane was about 2 miles from the airport and flying at an altitude about 275 ft above airport elevation when it struck and damaged the top of a 367 ft-tall cellular tower. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted trees and terrain in a residential area. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Federal Aviation Administration guidance states that, while over a congested area, except when necessary for take-off or landing, the pilot of an airplane should maintain an altitude of 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 ft of the aircraft. Guidance also indicates that pilots should maintain an altitude of about 1,000 ft above airport elevation until entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA077 for the full record.