What happened
The pilot initiated an instrument landing system (ILS) approach for runway 19R but encountered difficulties with the localizer signal. Upon recognizing the issue, the pilot requested a missed approach procedure. During the second attempt to land, air traffic control cleared the aircraft for touchdown; however, the pilot was subsequently issued two low altitude alerts indicating the aircraft was below safe terrain clearance limits.
Following the alerts, controllers instructed the pilot to climb and maintain an altitude of 3,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, radar contact and radio communications with the aircraft were lost. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a parking lot located approximately one-half mile northeast of the airport boundary.
Findings
Environmental conditions at the time of the accident significantly impacted flight safety. Meteorological reports indicated an indefinite ceiling of zero feet with the sky obscured. Visibility was reduced to one-half mile in fog, with tops reported at 800 feet. Wind conditions were from 180 degrees at eight knots, and the altimeter setting was 29.95 inches of mercury. Although the runway visual range (RVR) was reported as more than 6,000 feet, the dense fog and zero ceiling created challenging visual references for the pilot during the approach phase.