Weather Briefing and En Route Flight
Before the flight, the pilot received a weather briefing that included an AIRMET for IFR conditions and an AIRMET for icing located "just off to the north." According to air traffic control (ATC) recordings, the en route portion of the flight was uneventful.
Approach and Missed Approach
ATC cleared the pilot for an ILS approach to runway 35, and the pilot acknowledged the clearance. When the aircraft reached the outer marker, ATC approved a frequency change to the common traffic advisory frequency. The pilot acknowledged this change, and no further communications were received.
Witnesses observed the airplane approximately 200 feet above ground level (agl) on a northwesterly heading, west of runway 35. The airplane then entered a climbing left turn to the south and disappeared into the overcast cloud layer. Shortly after, a witness saw the airplane in a "20 degree nose down, wings level attitude" on a southeasterly heading before losing sight due to hangars obstructing the view. At the time, the witness reported the ceiling as approximately 500 feet overcast with mist. The published missed approach procedure directed the pilot to initiate a climbing left turn to a fix and hold.
Accident Site Examination
The airplane impacted terrain in a right wing, nose-low attitude. No ground impact marks were evident except in the immediate vicinity of the wing leading edges, engines, and propeller assemblies. The flaps and landing gear were extended. Clear ice measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inches was found on the leading edges of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and on the upper fuselage antenna. Local authorities observed a "layer of ice" on the leading edges of both wings upon arrival.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.