What happened
The aircraft was operating on a cross-country flight with the primary purpose of transporting the pilot's mother to her home in New Hampshire. During the operation, the pilot initiated an instrument landing system approach at Lebanon, New Hampshire. The weather conditions were instrument meteorological conditions, characterized by low visibility and cloud cover.
At a critical point during the descent, the pilot declared a missed approach procedure. However, the aircraft collided with a tree during this maneuver. The pilot did not acknowledge the impact at that moment. Shortly thereafter, the right engine ceased operation. With directional control compromised and no power available to continue the flight, the pilot elected to execute a forced landing in an open area off the airport.
The landing sequence involved further collisions with trees as the aircraft descended. The aircraft eventually touched down hard on rolling terrain. No mechanical discrepancies were found upon inspection of the airframe or engines after the event.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed that no mechanical failures caused the engine shutdown. However, it was noted that the pilot had accepted the aircraft with the left alternator removed for repairs prior to the flight. This maintenance status may have contributed to electrical system reliability, though no direct link to the crash mechanics was established.
Findings
The primary factors leading to the accident were the loss of situational awareness during the missed approach in poor weather and the subsequent inability to maintain control after the engine failure. The decision to land off-airport was a direct result of the power loss and terrain constraints.