What happened
The flight was operating under instrument flight rules at Nantucket Airport. At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions at the airport were below the prescribed minimums required for the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 24. Air traffic control had issued a blanket broadcast on relevant frequencies informing users that weather at Nantucket was below these minimums. Subsequently, the controller provided the pilot with the specific weather conditions at the destination airport.
The pilot was cleared to execute the ILS approach to Runway 24. After passing the outer marker, the pilot reported executing a missed approach procedure. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain runway heading and contact departure control. There were no further radio communications recorded with the flight following this instruction. A witness on the ground observed the aircraft descend out of the fog and crash into trees approximately one mile north of the airport.
Findings
The investigation determined that the weather conditions at the destination were below the minimums required for the approach. The pilot attempted the approach despite these conditions and subsequently lost control or failed to maintain terrain clearance, resulting in a collision with trees. The pilot's decision to continue the approach into weather below minimums was a primary factor.