What happened
A pilot operating a twin-engine turboprop was conducting a cross-country flight under an instrument flight plan. While approaching the destination airport, the pilot was being provided with altitude and heading vectors by air traffic control. After receiving clearance for the approach, the pilot notified controllers that a missed approach was being initiated. The controller provided the necessary instructions for the missed approach, which the pilot acknowledged; however, no subsequent radio contact was established.
The aircraft subsequently struck terrain at a near-vertical angle. At the time of the impact, local automated weather observations indicated a 300-foot overcast ceiling and visibility of 5 miles in mist. An investigation of the wreckage found no mechanical irregularities that would have prevented the aircraft from functioning normally, and both engines showed evidence of producing power during the collision.
Findings
Records from the pilot's logbook showed a total of 1,281.6 flight hours, including 512.4 hours in multi-engine aircraft and 192.9 hours in this specific model. The pilot's instrument experience was limited, with only 29.7 total hours of actual instrument time, of which 15.6 hours were logged in this aircraft. Furthermore, the pilot had only received one hour of formal instrument instruction approximately three years prior to the event. The accident is consistent with loss of control while operating in instrument meteorological conditions.