What happened
During a night non-precision instrument approach, the aircraft collided with trees and terrain near the approach end of the landing runway. Air traffic control communications and radar data indicate the aircraft was cleared for an NDB approach approximately 10 minutes before the accident. After receiving the clearance, the pilot reported that the aircraft was performing a procedure turn inbound.
Shortly after this position report, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost, prompting the issuance of an Alert Notice (ALNOT). The last known radar position placed the aircraft approximately 0.6 miles from the approach end of the runway. The wreckage was located the following morning in a heavily wooded area, situated 2,090 feet from the landing threshold of runway 10.
At the time of the accident, automated weather observations at the airport reported visibility of 5 statute miles, with a broken ceiling at 100 feet above ground level and an overcast ceiling at 800 feet above ground level. The minimum descent altitude for the approach was 1,240 feet above mean sea level, which corresponds to 1,096 feet above the touchdown zone elevation of 144 feet. The published minimum visibility for a straight-in NDB approach is 1.25 miles.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the engines and airframe revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or failure occurring prior to the accident.