N7915K

On January 6, 2002, at 1755 eastern standard time, a Beech S35, N7915K, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while on final approach to land on runway 05 (4,540 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Tri-State Steuban County Airport (ANQ), Angola, Indiana. The pilot and two passengers on board were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane descended into visual meteorological conditions during the approach; however, the airplane had flown in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight originated from Cadillac, Michigan, at 1656 eastern standard time.

The pilot reported that he descended through the clouds for the NDB 05 approach into ANQ. The pilot stated that while he was on final approach there was a strong wind from the northwest and he crabbed into the wind as much as 30 degrees. He reported the airplane was approximately 500 feet from the runway when the right wing stalled and the aircraft rolled right 130 degrees. The pilot reported the airplane was flying at 130 miles per hour when the stall was encountered. The pilot stated that he applied full power and rolled the aircraft upright. According to the pilot, it then felt like the aircraft was being pushed straight down and they hit the ground almost flat. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced, slid across U.S. Highway 20, and came to rest. The pilot stated that he and his two passengers exited the airplane prior to it catching fire.

According to an eyewitness traveling by car westbound on U.S. Highway 20, he first noticed aircraft lights from the south, traveling in a north-northeast direction. The witness reported that the airplane was flying very low and he observed it skip off the ditch on the south side of the road. He stated that the aircraft skidded across the highway in front of his vehicle, impacting a earthen embankment on the north side. Upon reaching the airplane, the witness noted that the pilot and the two passengers had exited the airplane, which was engulfed in flames.

The wind was reported to be 350 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident.