Accident Overview
The aircraft was substantially damaged after colliding with a fence, terrain, and a residence during an instrument approach to its intended destination.
Flight History
The flight was operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) at a cruise altitude of 10,000 feet mean sea level (msl) before descending for the approach. Air traffic control (ATC) authorized descent to 4,000 feet msl at the pilot's discretion, but the pilot requested to remain at 6,000 feet to stay out of clouds due to possible icing. Shortly after, the pilot requested and received clearance to climb to 7,000 feet msl after encountering light rime and mixed icing.
The flight was cleared for the GPS instrument approach to runway 33. Radar track data showed the aircraft began a descent from 7,000 feet about 9 nautical miles (nm) southeast of the airport, intercepting the published approach course. The aircraft crossed the final approach fix (FAF) at 6,000 feet msl, while the minimum altitude at the FAF was 3,000 feet msl. The last radar contact was at 4,000 feet msl approximately 2 nm south-southeast of the airport. The normal floor of radar coverage was 4,000 feet msl. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain about 1 nm north-northwest of the airport. The debris path was oriented on a 150-degree magnetic bearing toward the airport, whereas the inbound course for the approach was 338 degrees magnetic.
Weather Conditions
The published minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the straight-in GPS approach to runway 33 was 1,760 feet msl (372 feet above ground level). An overcast ceiling at 200 feet agl was recorded at the airport approximately 15 minutes before the accident. Terminal weather forecasts for an airport located 14 nm north of the destination predicted ceilings of 300 feet agl overcast with 2 statute miles visibility in light snow and mist around the time of the accident. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing for the accident flight, although briefings had been provided for two previous flights that day.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination revealed no pre-accident malfunctions of the airframe or engine. FAA regulations require a pilot to execute a missed approach when operating below the MDA unless the aircraft is continuously in a position to perform a normal descent and landing.