Background
The accident occurred during a missed approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot was cleared for the instrument landing system (ILS) runway 13 approach at Hutchinson Municipal Airport. The decision altitude for the approach was 1,724 feet mean sea level (MSL), equivalent to 200 feet above ground level (AGL).
Accident Sequence
According to aircraft radar track data, the pilot reported going missed approach after passing the middle marker at 1,600 feet MSL (75 feet AGL). The missed approach instructions required climbing to 4,000 feet MSL on runway heading and contacting Wichita approach control. Radar data showed the airplane in a climbing left turn, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,000 feet MSL (460 feet AGL). The airplane then entered a descending left turn while the pilot was communicating with Wichita approach control. The aircraft impacted terrain left of runway 22 on a magnetic heading of 334 degrees. The airplane struck left wing first, and the total wreckage debris path was approximately 280 feet long.
Weather and Equipment
Weather conditions at the time included overcast ceilings at 200 feet AGL and visibilities between 1-1/4 and 2 statute miles. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test aircraft flew the ILS runway 13 approach after the accident and determined that the approach was fully operational and tested satisfactory. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airframe or the engine.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an instrument rating but was not instrument current as required by federal aviation regulations.