Incident
A private pilot had been cleared for an ILS approach to runway 27R. While on the localizer at 1,600 feet, air traffic control noticed the aircraft was north of the localizer course and in a right turn headed east. The controller queried the pilot about the heading, to which the pilot responded, "East, which was to go?" The flight was then instructed to turn to avoid another aircraft on approach that the accident aircraft was approaching head-on. The pilot did not acknowledge any further radio transmissions, and shortly thereafter, the aircraft dropped off radar and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 800 feet of water. Neither the aircraft nor its occupants were recovered.
Pilot Background
The pilot was newly rated in multi-engine operations and had been advised by a certified flight instructor not to conduct night instrument flight rules (IFR) operations or flights into heavy IFR conditions until gaining more IFR experience.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions at the time were night IFR with rain, heavy turbulence, and thunderstorms in the area.