Flight History
En route, approximately 23 minutes before the accident, the pilot reported having the current weather at the destination airport. The flight was cleared for the VOR-A instrument approach procedure with a circle-to-land maneuver for runway 27.
Weather and Approach
At the time of the pilot's report, the reported weather at the destination airport was scattered clouds at 900 feet above ground level (agl), an overcast ceiling at 3,500 feet agl, and visibility of 3 miles. At the time of the accident, the airport's reported weather was an overcast ceiling at 300 feet agl and visibility of 1-1/4 miles.
Accident Sequence
According to aircraft radar track data, the airplane descended below the approach's authorized minimum descent altitude (MDA) approximately 2.6 miles northeast of the airport. The airplane then leveled off about 175 feet below the MDA and maintained that altitude until crossing over the intersection of the airport's two runways. Subsequently, the airplane made a left turn to the east and paralleled runway 27 about 600 feet south of the runway. The airplane's last radar return was recorded at 185 feet agl and about 0.5 miles east of the runway threshold. The point of impact was approximately 725 feet north of the final radar return.
Numerous witnesses reported seeing the airplane traveling eastbound at an estimated altitude between 150 and 200 feet agl. The airplane then performed a left turn back towards the airport before impacting nose-first into the terrain. Several witnesses reported that the airplane reached a bank angle of approximately 90 degrees during the turn. The airplane's altitude and proximity to the runway prevented an approach to landing using normal flight maneuvers.
Wreckage and Examination
A majority of the airframe was destroyed during a post-impact ground fire. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction.