Accident Summary
The airplane crashed during the missed approach segment of the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 7 at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). This was the third airport the pilot attempted to land after unsuccessful landing attempts at two other airports due to low clouds and visibilities.
Sequence of Events
During the ILS approach to JAX, the air traffic controller advised the pilot that two earlier flights had landed, each reporting breaking out of clouds 50 to 100 feet above the decision height and initially seeing only the approach lights. The pilot subsequently radioed that he was on a missed approach. Later, the controller and another flight on the ground heard a partially unclear transmission in which the pilot indicated his instruments were malfunctioning.
Witnesses either heard or saw the airplane overfly the airport. Two witnesses reported hearing the engine sounds increase; one stated that afterward the airplane turned north, circled several times, and descended, followed by the sound of a crash. Recorded radar data indicated that before radar contact was lost, the airplane completed left circling turns while climbing to 1,000 feet and then descending to 300 feet. Radar contact was lost 2 miles south of the accident site.
The airplane crashed in a wooded area and came to rest about 200 feet from the initial point of tree impact.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.