Accident Overview
On a night localizer approach to Millville Municipal Airport, an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight encountered issues during its approach sequence. The aircraft, crewed by two airline transport pilot (ATP)-rated individuals, was en route to its home base under an IFR flight plan in actual instrument meteorological conditions. Communications with air traffic control (ATC) were reported as normal.
Approach and Loss of Control
During the night localizer approach, an ATC specialist observed the aircraft passing through the localizer track and issued a vector for re-interception. The aircraft subsequently tracked inbound on course. The pilot reported crossing the outer marker (OM), which was the final transmission received from the flight. The aircraft then crashed into a wooded area just beyond the OM and was destroyed in a post-impact fire.
Engine Examination
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed evidence indicating that the left engine was producing less power than the right engine at the time of impact. The nature of the engine failure was not explicitly determined.
Weather and Lighting Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions included low ceiling, fog, and rain. The approach was conducted in dark night conditions.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable causes were identified as:
- Weather conditions: low ceiling, fog, rain, and dark night.
- Improper IFR procedure by the pilot in command.
- Failure to maintain proper altitude by the pilot in command.
- Partial failure of the engine assembly, with the cause of the failure undetermined.
Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.