Flight and Weather
The pilots were on the first leg of a personal flight. The pilot-in-command obtained a weather briefing the previous night but did not update it on the day of the flight. The reported weather at the destination airport included an overcast ceiling at 100 feet, reduced visibility due to fog, and wind from 020 degrees at 7 knots.
First Approach
On the first approach, the pilot executed a missed approach but did not follow the prescribed missed approach procedure. The procedure required climbing to 1,000 feet MSL on the runway heading, then turning left while continuing the climb to 2,800 feet via the localizer course to the outer marker. Instead, the pilot circled to the right over the city and requested another approach.
Second Approach and Accident
On the second approach, the pilot flew to the left of the localizer and descended below the glide slope and decision height. The aircraft impacted trees on a hill approximately 200 feet below the ILS decision height and 1.85 miles from the approach end of runway 23.
Post-Accident Investigation
A post-accident investigation revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical failure.