Accident Overview
During an attempted missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), an airplane descended into a residence. The pilot had successfully completed a flight review 10 days before the accident flight, during which he flew his airplane for about 2 minutes under simulated instrument flight conditions. No other evidence of instrument flying was found during the preceding 6 months. The accident occurred while the pilot was returning home following a vacation.
Weather and Approach
As the pilot approached the airport, a fog bank moved in and local weather conditions deteriorated. The VOR/GPS circling instrument approach procedure for the airport lists a minimum descent altitude of 680 feet mean sea level (msl) with a 1-mile minimum visibility requirement. The overcast ceiling was 400 feet above ground level (597 feet msl), and visibility was 1 mile as the flight entered the terminal area. Near the time the pilot received his instrument approach clearance, visibility decreased to 1/2-mile and ceiling lowered to 200 feet above ground level (397 feet msl); however, that information was not disseminated to the pilot by either the tower or approach controller, contrary to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) internal directives.
Missed Approach
The pilot's approach was monitored by both the radar approach controller and the local tower controller on the tower's digital bright radar indicator (DBrite). Radar data showed the airplane was consistently left of course, and the local tower controller advised the pilot of that fact and asked if he was correcting back. About 0.4 miles from the runway's end, the pilot advised the controller that he was going around. The pilot failed to adhere to the published missed approach procedure. During the next 1 to 2 minutes, radar data showed the airplane making 360-degree turns about 0.5 miles from the runway until descending with what ground witnesses described as increasingly steep angles of bank into a house. The airplane was certificated and equipped for flight into IMC. Examination of the wreckage found no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.