What happened
The pilot initially contacted the Islip West Arrival controller intending to land at Islip MacArthur Airport. However, because conditions at Islip were below minimums, the pilot diverted toward Republic Airport (Farmingdale) and inquired about the weather there. The Islip controller coordinated with the Farmingdale Tower and instructed the pilot to expect a back-course ILS approach to Runway 32. The pilot was directed to change frequency to New York Approach Control, which would provide weather information and vectors.
Upon contacting Approach Control, the pilot did not ask for further weather updates, nor did the controller volunteer them. The controller vectored the aircraft through the localizer and back to it. The pilot was cleared for the approach and instructed to contact Tower when approximately 1.5 miles from the final approach fix. The pilot experienced difficulty turning onto the localizer and initiated a missed approach approximately 2 miles after passing the final approach fix, with the intention of still landing at Farmingdale.
The pilot was instructed to climb to 2,000 feet and was provided vectors for another approach. However, the pilot failed to maintain the assigned altitude and subsequently crashed into a marsh.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and operational records. No pre-impact mechanical failure was found that would have prevented continued flight.