Flight and Weather Conditions
A pilot flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to Santa Barbara encountered weather conditions that dropped below landing minima. The pilot first inquired about Santa Maria (SMX) as an alternate, but that airport also reported below-minimum weather. The pilot then selected San Luis Obispo (SBP) as the alternate destination.
Approach and Missed Approach
Radar data showed that during the localizer approach to SBP, the aircraft was high and passed over the airport at 2,600 feet MSL (2,300 feet AGL). The controller issued a climb to 5,000 feet and instructed the pilot to execute the published missed approach. The pilot responded, "Missed approach as published," to which the controller replied, "Affirmative."
Collision and On-Site Examination
Radar data indicated that the aircraft subsequently descended to 2,200 feet, where radar contact was lost. On-site examination revealed that the aircraft struck the top of a hill while in a level standard-rate turn to the left.
Approach Plates
Two approach plates were found on the pilot's clipboard: the Santa Maria ILS approach and the San Luis Obispo localizer approach. The Santa Maria missed approach specifies a climbing left turn to 2,000 feet back to the VOR. Both plates appear similar in layout.