Accident Sequence
The pilot initiated an instrument landing system (ILS) approach and acknowledged a frequency change. The aircraft was subsequently located on a steep hill, one mile south of the airport. Investigators found no evidence of an engine or control system malfunction. It appeared that the pilot had executed a missed approach and flew into high terrain.
Timelines and Discovery
There was a two-and-a-half-hour delay between the time of the crash and its confirmation. Approximately five hours after the accident, the pilot was found outside the wreckage. An Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) stated that the crash was survivable and that the pilot had exited the aircraft on his own after the accident. The pilot experienced serious injuries, but none of them were lethal.
Environmental Conditions and Cause of Death
During the night, the temperature dropped to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill temperature of 36 degrees. The autopsy results showed that the pilot had died of exposure and shock.