​​​On November 6, UJ86, a Piper PA-23 Apache, N2185P, was cleared for an instrument landing system approach to runway 36L at Tampa International Airport, Florida. The pilot was unable to land during his first approach. On the second approach, the Apache touched down on taxiway W, parallel to and about 406 feet to the right (east) of runway 36L. At the same time, a Pan American Boeing B-·727 was proceeding southbound on taxiway W. When the captain of the B-727 saw the Apache emerge from the fog directly ahead of him, he turned to the right in an attempt to avoid the impending collision. About 2 seconds later, the Apache's left engine stuck the B-727 in the radome.  Two passengers and a flight attendant were injured after they evacuated the airplane.  The Apache wus almost destroyed and the pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was killed.

​​We determined that the probable cause of this accident was the decision of the pilot of the Apache airplane to continue a precision instrument approach below the published decision height when the required visual references were not distinctly visible and identifiable. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a predeparture weather briefing before choosing a means to travel to his destination.​

​​​​As a result of the investigation, we issued recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration​​.​​