Accident Details
The pilot was attempting his second instrument landing system approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, below the published approach weather minimums, which were not a regulatory limit for the flight. After the first approach resulted in a missed approach, the pilot reported that he established the airplane on the localizer course and that the airplane was then cleared to land, which the pilot acknowledged. No further transmissions were received from the accident airplane.
The airplane impacted trees and uneven terrain about 2 miles from the approach end of the runway. The pilot did not survive, but both passengers did. The passengers stated that the airplane was flying in foggy conditions; however, the flight seemed normal until the airplane impacted trees.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. The pilot woke up about 19 hours prior to the accident and the investigation revealed that he did not sleep between the start of his day and the accident.
The pilot was not issued a minimum safe altitude warning (MSAW) by air traffic control because the radar sensor being used to track the airplane did not provide sufficient coverage to trigger an MSAW alarm. A different system was available to the controller that if selected would have sounded an MSAW.
No probable cause was determined by the investigation.