What happened
During an arrival sequence, the pilot attempted four separate ILS approaches but aborted each one because the approach lighting system was not visible. At the time of these attempts, visibility was reported at approximately 0.5 statute miles. On the fifth attempt, the pilot misidentified a road and several vehicles as the MALSR and the runway itself.
Upon realizing the error, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure. During this maneuver, the pilot observed oncoming traffic ahead and executed a right turn. This maneuver resulted in a loss of altitude, leading to the right wing striking the ground. There were no mechanical issues found with the engines or airframe that would have hindered standard operations.
Findings
An investigation into the incident revealed that the airport's approach lighting system was fully functional. However, the operator's specific flight guidelines require a visibility margin of an additional 0.25 miles for ILS approaches when the lighting system is not visible. The primary factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to adhere to established IFR procedures and company operational specifications regarding minimum visibility requirements. Low cloud cover and fog also contributed to the difficulty in maintaining situational awareness.