JfK Jr was not instrument rated therefore could not make and ILS approach.
He was flying late and in poor weather and having an instrument rating probably would have helped.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2010/july/pilot/10-mistakes-jfk-jr-made
His airplane needed the system, but if it had it, he could have flown the ILS, not legally but the system doesn't know and it is always better to be there in person to get a flight violation, then die.
He was flying late and in poor weather
FTA: 'Also, because the flight left late, Kennedy ended up flying in darkness, through an unusually heavy haze and over open water.'
IMC conditions, no horizon, light to darkness from overland to overwater - best vertigo inducing scenarion in the world.
> JfK Jr was not instrument rated therefore could not make and ILS approach. He was flying late and in poor weather and having an instrument rating probably would have helped.
Shortly after it happened I met Iron Maiden (first of two times) after a show in Boston. I talked to Bruce Dickinson about this as I figured being a star struck fan boy wouldn’t go over well so I would ask him a real question and I knew he was a pilot.
He pointed out this exact thing.
-SB