What happened
The pilot initiated an instrument landing system (ILS) approach and acknowledged a change in radio frequency. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft impacted a steep hill located approximately one mile south of the airport runway. There was a significant delay of two and a half hours between the time of the impact and the official confirmation of the accident.
The pilot was discovered outside of the wreckage approximately five hours after the crash occurred. An Aviation Medical Examiner determined that the structural failure of the aircraft was survivable and noted that the pilot had exited the aircraft independently following the collision. Although the pilot sustained serious injuries, none were immediately fatal at the time of impact.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a malfunction in the engine or control systems prior to the collision. The sequence of events suggested that the pilot executed a missed approach but inadvertently flew into high terrain during the maneuver.
Environmental conditions played a critical role in the outcome. Temperatures dropped to 46 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of 36 degrees during the night following the accident. A subsequent autopsy determined that the cause of death was exposure and shock, rather than trauma from the initial impact.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the loss of life were the terrain collision during the missed approach phase and the subsequent exposure to cold temperatures. The pilot survived the initial crash but succumbed to the elements before receiving aid.