Overview
The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and fire after impacting the ground approximately 3.7 miles from the destination airport. The aircraft had been cleared for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to the airport.
Pre-Impact Events
Radar data shows that the airplane initially headed in a northerly direction before commencing a left turn onto the inbound course of the instrument approach. The inbound course for the approach is 298 degrees magnetic. The last radar return was received before the airplane reached the locator outer marker for the approach. Altitude returns indicate the airplane descended from a pressure altitude of 4,000 feet to a pressure altitude of 2,800 feet. The 2,800-foot return was the final return received.
Wreckage and Examination
The wreckage path was distributed on a magnetic heading of approximately 145 degrees. On-scene examination of the airframe, engine, and gyroscopic flight instruments revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-existing condition. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.
Weather Conditions
The weather reporting station located at the destination airport recorded a 100-foot overcast ceiling with 1 statute mile of visibility about 20 minutes prior to the accident. This current weather was available to the pilot via the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the destination airport.
Communications
No communications were received from the airplane after controllers authorized the pilot to change to the destination airport's advisory frequency.
Minimum Descent Altitude
The minimum descent altitude for the ILS approach is 243 feet above ground level.