Accident Summary
A twin-engine airplane impacted mountainous terrain during a VOR-B approach conducted in actual instrument weather conditions. The flight was an aircraft checkout flight with a commercial pilot (first pilot) and an airline transport pilot (owner/second pilot) on board. The accident occurred while the pilots were executing the published approach procedure.
Approach Procedure
The VOR is located on top of a mountain at an elevation of 2,090 feet. The VOR/DME-B approach consists of tracking the 352-degree radial inbound to the VOR from the north, descending from 3,200 feet down to the minimum descent altitude of 2,100 feet prior to the Initial Approach Fix (IAF). The IAF is 2.2 nautical miles from the Missed Approach Point (MAP). The MAP is 1.0 nautical mile north of the airport runway and 2.8 nautical miles from the VOR. The published missed approach procedure requires a climb from 2,100 feet to 3,200 feet direct to the VOR on the 352 radial, then hold at the VOR.
Event Sequence
Review of recorded radar data disclosed that, while executing the VOR-B approach, the airplane appeared to fly the published approach procedure normally, with the exception of paralleling the final approach course (the 352-degree radial) about 1 mile to the east. The pilots had told controllers that they were flying the approach with the intention of executing the missed approach procedure. Once the airplane passed the Missed Approach Point (MAP), the pilots failed to execute the climb portion of the missed approach procedure. The airplane continued to track towards the VOR at the minimum descent altitude until impacting the mountain just below the VOR.