What happened
The flight was operating under instrument conditions when the pilot was cleared for an SDF runway 9 approach. Weather reports for the destination were unavailable, but the pilot was advised that conditions in Saginaw included an indefinite ceiling with 200-foot obscured visibility, one-half mile visibility in fog, a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches.
After receiving clearance for the approach, the pilot descended to the minimum descent altitude of 1300 feet MSL using the autopilot. Approximately one minute past the final approach fix, the pilot reported hearing a thump, which he suspected might have been a bird strike. He initiated a missed approach procedure but could not recall whether he added power or disengaged the autopilot.
The aircraft subsequently descended into trees and crashed approximately 2.5 miles west of the airport. Examination of the crash site revealed that the aircraft had collided with treetops, pulled up, continued over the trees for about 400 feet, and then descended steeply into a wooded area before crashing in a river. The elevation of the crash site was reported as 754 feet.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft that would have hindered normal operation.