Approach and Conditions
The flight was cleared for a night instrument landing system (ILS) approach and advised that the control tower at the destination had closed. Before closing, the tower reported that fog was forming, and the flight was informed of the fog.
Discovery and Witness Accounts
The aircraft was located on a remote part of the airport the next morning. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) had activated, but the signal was weakened due to crash damage. Passengers stated that they never saw the runway lights—only taxi lights—and that the pilot attempted to perform a go-around. The landing gear was retracted, and the aircraft struck a level grassy area in a near-level attitude.
Occupant Safety Equipment
The pilot was not wearing a shoulder harness. A passenger crouched in the aisle next to the pilot, helping locate the runway, and was not wearing a restraining belt.
Navigation and Toxicology
No published approach plate for the ILS procedure for that runway was found in the aircraft. A toxicology report revealed that the pilot had 3 mcg/mL of dextromethorphan, an ingredient found in over-the-counter cold remedies. According to the report, blood levels of that substance greater than 0.1 mcg/mL were sufficient to cause drowsiness.