July 31, Raleigh, N.C. / Dehavilland Twin Otter

At about 00:34 eastern time, a Dehavilland Canada DHC-6-200 struck trees while maneuvering to land at the Raleigh/Durham International Airport. The pilot was killed and two passengers suffered serious injuries. The flight was en route from Hinckley, Ill., to Louisburg, N.C. for maintenance work. A visual approach at Louisburg was unsuccessful because of ground fog. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, was given vectors toward Raleigh/Durham. ATC intended to bring the flight over the top of the airport in an attempt to get the pilot visual contact with the airport. About 1 miles from the airport the pilot turned away from the field and crashed in a heavily wooded area. The fuel tanks were not breached but there was no evidence of fuel in the airplane.