What happened
Prior to arrival, the pilot received weather advisories indicating a ceiling of 300 feet overcast, visibility of 3 miles, freezing rain, light drizzle, and light snow. The pilot initiated an ILS RWY 33 approach but encountered turbulence during the maneuver. Consequently, the pilot elected to execute a missed approach and returned for a second attempt.
During the second approach, the aircraft encountered turbulence once again. The pilot then noticed the aircraft was losing airspeed. According to the pilot's last recollection, he applied full power before the aircraft crashed upon striking the approach lights, approximately 600 feet short of the runway. There were no fatalities reported.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft conducted the following day revealed that airframe ice remained attached to the leading edge and the lower surface of the wings. Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction of any aircraft components. Additionally, while the pilot had been briefed on potential snow and light to moderate rime icing conditions, the aircraft was not equipped for flight in known icing conditions.