Accident Overview
A chartered aircraft transporting personnel from Western Washington University (WWU) to an alumni dinner crashed after failing to land at the intended airport. The accident occurred at night during the return flight.
Approach and Flight Path
The pilot conducted a localizer-only ILS approach to runway 16 under marginal visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. During the approach, radar service was terminated and the pilot was instructed to contact Bellingham Radio, but did not do so. Radar data showed the aircraft continued southbound toward WWU and changed its transponder code to 1200 (VFR). Radar contact was lost for approximately one and a half minutes as the aircraft passed over the vicinity of WWU and the home of one of the passengers. Contact was then reestablished.
Witness Reports and Final Moments
Witnesses in the area reported seeing a low-flying aircraft around that time. The aircraft then flew to the vicinity of several large refineries approximately 9 miles north-northwest of the airport, where radar contact was lost again. When the aircraft did not land, a search was initiated. The wreckage was found where the aircraft had struck 200-foot-tall trees and crashed. No one witnessed the impact, but two people observed an aircraft flying at low altitude in that area with its landing light on. They also reported patchy fog in the vicinity. The aircraft turned to an easterly heading before the crash.
Mechanical Examination
No preimpact mechanical problems were found that would have caused the accident.