What happened
A flight involving the pilot and two medical professionals was conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) mission to transport a patient when a landing gear malfunction occurred. During the initial climb, the pilot noticed a gear unsafe indication. To resolve the issue, the pilot requested permission to enter visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The landing gear was successfully extended manually, and the crew received safe indications.
Following the resolution of the mechanical issue, the flight department instructed the pilot to return to the departure base. The pilot received an IFR clearance for an ILS approach. After being handed off to the tower, the pilot was instructed to report the final approach fix (FAF) after completing an eastbound procedure turn. No further communication was received from the aircraft.
The aircraft crashed on the southeast side of Humphreys Peak at an elevation of approximately 10,500 feet, roughly 10 miles west of the intended final approach course. The wreckage was distributed along a 230-degree heading. Evidence indicated the plane was in a steep descent at the time of impact.
Findings
Radar analysis showed that the aircraft followed an outbound track to the west of the published course and did not perform the required procedure turn. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) characterized by light rain and snow. Meteorological reports from other pilots confirmed the presence of moderate to severe turbulence. Additionally, winds at 10,000 feet were forecast at 50 knots from the southwest, and previous reports along the ILS approach path noted moderate turbulence and light rime ice.