Impact and Wreckage
The airplane was destroyed upon impact with trees and terrain during an ILS approach. A post-impact fire ensued on the ground. The aircraft impacted a wooded area west of the approach lights to the intended runway. A linear path of broken tree branches and a broken tree, approximately 500 feet long, led from the edge of the wooded area to the fuselage's final resting position. The fuselage came to rest inverted, discolored, and deformed, with sections melted. The landing gear was found in the down position. The wreckage site was located about 400 feet south of College Avenue and approximately 1,800 feet from the approach end of the intended runway's centerline. North of the wreckage, across College Avenue, was a lighted aircraft ramp area.
Weather and Air Traffic Control
The reported weather at the time included visibility of 1/2 statute mile with mist, a broken ceiling at 300 feet, temperature and dew point both at 21°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury. Air traffic controllers had instructed the pilot to maintain a higher speed during the approach.
Pilot Information
According to the operator, the pilot held 1,250 hours of total flight time, exceeding the 1,200-hour requirement under FAR 135.243 for IFR operations. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot had logged 194 hours in the accident aircraft type, including 44.5 hours in instrument meteorological conditions and 60 instrument approaches. No pre-impact anomalies were identified.