Aircraft Crash in Wooded Area Near Airport (N117HS)

Approach and Radio Contact Loss The pilot conducted two VOR approaches to the airport, each ending in a missed approach. After the second missed approach, the controller asked if fog was the reason. The pilot replied that there were pockets of fog and the runway could not be seen. The pilot then requested and was cleared for a third approach. The controller asked the pilot to contact the advisory frequency at the airport, which the pilot did. No further radio transmissions were received from the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest in a wooded area about 2 miles northwest of the airport, at an elevation of 1,679 feet MSL. The wreckage path was oriented on a 245-degree bearing. The missed approach point for the VOR approach was at the runway threshold. The missed approach procedure required the pilot to initiate a climbing right turn to 3,400 feet, then proceed back to the northeast to an intersection about 5.2 miles northeast of the airport, and hold. An FAA inspector flew the runway 25 VOR approach the day of the accident and noted no abnormalities with the navigation or airport facilities. The Airport Facility Directory included a remark for N23 stating, “Numerous hills surround arpt up to 800 ft above arpt elevation.” Witnesses described the weather about the time of the accident as heavy fog, with the mountains surrounding the airport completely obscured.