What happened
During an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 7 at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), the aircraft entered a missed approach segment. This flight was the pilot's third attempt to land after encountering low clouds and poor visibility at two previous airports. During the approach, air traffic control informed the pilot that two preceding flights had reported breaking out of the clouds only 50 to 100 feet above decision height, with only approach lights initially visible.
The pilot subsequently notified the controller that a missed approach was in progress. A subsequent radio transmission, heard by the controller and a ground-based flight, was partially unclear but indicated that the pilot's instruments were malfunctioning. Witnesses near the airport reported hearing the engine power increase and observing the aircraft fly over the airport. One witness described the airplane turning north, circling several times, and descending before the sound of a crash was heard.
Radar data showed the aircraft performed left-hand circling turns while climbing to 1000 feet and then descending to 300 feet. Radar contact was lost 2 miles south of the accident site. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area, coming to rest approximately 200 feet from the initial point of impact with trees. There were no fatalities reported in the source material.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.