What happened
A solo commercial cargo flight, operated by a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, was conducting an approach to its destination when weather conditions deteriorated. As the flight neared the airport, visibility dropped below the two-mile minimum required for the approach. The pilot entered a holding pattern for approximately 45 minutes while waiting for the weather to clear. Once the ceiling and visibility improved sufficiently, the pilot was cleared for the ILS 25 instrument approach.
Following initial contact with the airport tower, the aircraft ceased all radio communications. When the flight failed to arrive at the destination, it was declared overdue. Responding search teams located the wreckage on a hilly, tree-covered island after detecting an ELT signal. A witness near the airport reported seeing the twin-engine turboprop flying at a very low altitude over the water, traveling east and away from the airport, during a period of heavy rain, fog, and near-zero visibility. Local reports suggested that weather conditions over the water near the approach end of the runway were significantly worse than those recorded at the airport.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed several critical factors. Although the pilot was the company's chief pilot, the operator lacked authorization to perform single-pilot IFR operations in this specific twin-engine turboprop. Furthermore, toxicology analysis of the pilot's blood and urine identified the presence of cocaethylene and chlorpheniramine.