What happened
During the arrival phase, the pilot was assigned vectors for a localizer/DME backcourse-alpha approach to Runway 30. The instructions included intercepting the localizer before reaching the CAMCO final approach fix, located 6 miles from the runway, and maintaining an altitude of 3,500 feet until established on the local and localizer.
At 10:03:52, the pilot was notified that radar services were being terminated and was instructed to contact the tower. The pilot contacted the tower at 10:06 and acknowledged instructions to report at CAMCO. Following this communication, all contact with the aircraft ceased. Search procedures were subsequently initiated, leading to the discovery of the aircraft at an elevation of approximately 1,326 feet, having crashed about 1/2 mile southwest of the CAMCO fix.
The minimum altitude requirements for the approach required maintaining 3,000 feet until passing CAMCO, then reducing to a minimum altitude of 1,680 feet until reaching 'PATER', which was 2.2 miles from the runway.
The investigation
Investigators found no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or its engines. The pilot's records indicated 5.4 actual instrument hours and six instrument approaches logged in the preceding six months; however, the logs showed no experience with backcourse approaches.