What happened
While en route to the company's home airport, the twin-engine airplane experienced either a loss of power to the right engine or the pilot elected to shut the engine down. Although the destination airport offered night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot chose to fly a night precision instrument approach to an airport located 45 nautical miles closer. This alternate airport reported a 1-mile visibility and a 100-foot ceiling, with fog also present at the site.
The pilot did not notify air traffic control or the company regarding this change in plan. As the aircraft emerged from the clouds, it was in an unstable condition. While approaching the runway with full flaps—exceeding the 25 percent maximum limit for a go-around—the pilot applied full power to the left engine. The combination of high power on one side, low airspeed, and full flap configuration resulted in a minimum control speed (Vmc) roll.
The investigation
Investigators were unable to determine why the right engine was inoperative. The examination found no mechanical or fuel-related anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the engines.