Incident Overview
The aircraft departed Garden City under extremely poor weather conditions. Approximately halfway to Dodge City, the pilot-in-command reported engine problems to Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Controllers provided vectors to Dodge City Airport, but the pilot did not maintain the assigned headings. Instead, the aircraft turned back towards Garden City to attempt an instrument approach.
Approach and Loss of Radar Contact
Radar vectors were provided for a localizer approach. Radar data indicated that the aircraft did not become stabilized on the approach. There was a significant loss of groundspeed as the pilot attempted to establish the aircraft on the localizer. Radar contact was lost approximately two miles from the airport, at a speed approaching the stall speed for this aircraft.
Impact and Post-Crash Findings
The aircraft crashed about two miles short of the runway and to the right of the course. The impact was characterized by a vertical nose-down attitude, on a heading that indicated the aircraft was turning away from the airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left propeller was found in the feather position. The right engine appeared to have been producing full power at the time of impact. No mechanical problem was discovered during the investigation.