What happened
During an approach to the airport, a multiengine airplane was operating under instrument meteorological conditions, with visibility reported at 4 miles in drizzle and an overcast ceiling of 400 feet. The pilot was cleared for a VOR approach and received radar vectors to intercept the final approach course. The final radar contact recorded the aircraft at an altitude of 2,200 feet, positioned 8.1 miles from the runway threshold.
Before reaching the airport, the aircraft struck trees and impacted the ground 3.5 miles from the runway threshold, situated to the left of the final approach course. The aircraft's landing gear was extended and the approach flaps were deployed at the time of the accident. A post-crash fire destroyed the wreckage, which limited the scope of the investigation.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage showed the aircraft struck the treetops at a 45-degree angle before hitting the ground. While no mechanical anomalies were found that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally, the wreckage location confirms that the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude of 1,100 feet. Because the impact and subsequent fire prevented a full inspection of the flight and navigation instruments, and because no toxicology or autopsy was performed on the pilot, the specific reason for the descent below the prescribed altitude could not be established.