Accident Overview
The airplane was destroyed when it struck trees and terrain approximately 1.5 nautical miles from the destination airport during a personal flight. The aircraft was a twin-engine model equipped with a four-color weather radar system.
Pre-approach Events
The pilot made a planned en route stop before departing for the destination airport, which had been reporting instrument meteorological conditions with variable sky conditions. Ceilings were below instrument approach minimums, and convective activity was present. These conditions had persisted since the pilot's last reported weather briefing, which occurred about four hours prior to the approach.
Approach and Clearance
Prior to receiving an approach clearance, the pilot was issued a convective SIGMET that encompassed the destination airport. At that time, the destination sky conditions were above approach minimums. There was no record of the pilot reporting a missed approach.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Both propellers exhibited impact signatures consistent with engine power operation. Flight control cables were traced to areas of separation within the wreckage, as their related components had been destroyed.