Accident Overview
The accident flight was intended to reposition the aircraft for maintenance, with an expected duration of approximately 10 minutes. The pilot reported that an airman's meteorological advisory (AIRMET) was in effect, warning of light to moderate icing in precipitation and freezing drizzle along the planned route.
Flight Conditions
While operating under instrument flight rules, the pilot maintained visual contact with the ground and noted the presence of light freezing drizzle and rain. The aircraft's deicing equipment successfully cleared ice from the airframe. However, the forward windscreen became obscured because the anti-ice plate had been removed for replacement, and a new unit had not yet been installed.
Approach and Descent
The pilot engaged the autopilot to fly a coupled instrument landing system (ILS) approach. The autopilot was disengaged approximately 300 feet above ground level. Using the side windows and the radar altimeter, the pilot estimated that the aircraft had sufficient altitude to reach the runway. However, due to up-sloping terrain before the runway threshold, the aircraft was lower than the pilot perceived.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft subsequently contacted terrain about 150 feet short of the runway threshold. During the impact sequence, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the right main landing gear separated, causing damage to the wing spar.
Weather Information
Weather reported at the destination airport approximately 10 minutes before the accident included freezing rain and a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.