Incident Overview
During an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight in instrument meteorological conditions, the right side nose baggage door of a twin-engine airplane opened. The pilot expressed concerns to air traffic control about baggage exiting the compartment and potentially striking the right propeller. A diversion to the nearest airport with an instrument approach was requested and granted.
Approach and Navigation
Cleared for a nonprecision instrument approach to a coastal airport adjacent to mountainous terrain, the flight was authorized to descend to a lower altitude when established on the approach. However, radar track data later revealed that the pilot did not fly the published approach procedure. Instead, the approach was abbreviated and the airplane was turned in the wrong direction, toward higher terrain north of the approach course.
Wreckage Location and Examination
The airplane was discovered in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 1,100 feet mean sea level, roughly 1.5 miles north of the approach course. The crash path began with a shallow angle through treetops before the airplane struck larger trees. A postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed no evidence of preimpact mechanical problems, other than the baggage door, which remained attached to the airplane.